Champagne Henri Giraud Esprit Nature Brut

This under-the-radar (in the US) Grower Champagne is based in the Grand Cru village of Ay, home to stalwarts like Billecart-Salmon, Bollinger, and Philipponnat, Giraud make their wines in a very traditional manner. Claude Giraud crafts his own barrels from the prized Argonne Forest, and primary fermentations are carried out in mix of new and old barrels of various sizes.

The current release of their Esprit bottling is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, and it is a grand, creamy, and noble Champagne. "Sparkling with beautiful mineral bitterness, The Esprit Nature Brut pushes the door of the great wines of Champagne, while its incomparable fruit invites shared pleasure. On the eyes, a beautiful golden and blond reflections. On the nose, notes of stone fruits (pear, peach), vanilla and spices (white pepper) on a base of candied lemon which gives it freshness. Then come maturity and gluttony. The attack is fresh and then discreet and lets the overall vinosity express itself. The body, the very fullness make the structure of this wine. Minerality and light tannins contribute to a long, vinous, warm and silky astringent final structure with bitter almond and biscuit aromas." - Winemaker Notes