Champagne Henri GiraudMV19 Fut de Chene, Champagne Henri Giraud
Champagne, FranceVintage: MV
Prepare for one of the most extraordinary Champagne experiences, Henri Giraud’s MV19 Fût de Chêne.
Robert Parker, two decades ago, said: “This may be the finest Champagne house virtually no one has ever heard of”. Since then, the world has heard of Henri Giraud, and especially the house’s flagship wines Fût de Chêne and Argonne, which are now world-renowned and highly sought after.
Crafted in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ, this exceptional cuvée is a testament to the house’s unwavering dedication to terroir, where the unique characteristics of their vineyards are brought to life in every bottle. Henri Giraud is renowned for its masterful use of oak barrels sourced exclusively from the ancient Argonne Forest, where only the finest wood is selected to enhance the depth and character of their wines.
The MV19 is a blend of one-third perpetual reserve wine, dating back to 1990, and two-thirds from the 2019 vintage. This intricate combination, aged with the utmost care, imparts a richness and complexity that is simply unparalleled.
Sébastien Le Golvet, the cellarmaster, oversees every detail, from the geo-positioning of each oak tree in the Argonne Forest to the precise toasting of the barrels. His dedication ensures that the barrel perfectly complements the minerality-charged terroir of Henri Giraud’s Grand Cru vineyards and trees.
This Champagne undergoes an extended ageing process, further contributing to its remarkable complexity and richness. The MV19 is the epitome of luxury, a Champagne that showcases the harmonious union of vineyard, oak, and time.
Notable Awards
98/100, James Suckling, Aug 2024
“What makes this wine is the fine, velvet texture at the end that rolls off the finish. Dried citrus, pastry and light walnut aromas here. I like the subtle, woodsy undertones, more of a deep-forest kind than toastiness. It’s powerful, broad and intense, with a solid structure and framing, but a very fine texture with seamless bubbles. So textural. 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay. One third perpetual reserve and two thirds of 2019. “
95/100, Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, Oct 2024
“A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, the NV Brut Grand Cru Aÿ Fût de Chêne MV19, based two-thirds on the 2019 vintage and one-third on réserve perpétuelle or soléra, exudes a delicate, pure bouquet of spices, pear, white peach and mirabelle mingled with delicate touches of vanilla pod and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, rich and perfectly balanced, it’s seamless with bright acids and a long, delicate, white-pepper finish. Vinified and matured 50% in new barrels and 50% in one-year-old barrels, the oak is barely noticeable.”
Whats in the bottle
80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay
12 Mixed Bottles *
£157.50
Save £17.50
* As part of a mixed case of any 12 bottles
Free UK delivery on orders over £250. Free South Wales delivery on orders over £100
Tel : 02922 337454
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Description
Champagne Henri Giraud is a distinguished, family-owned Champagne house located in the Grand Cru village of Aÿ, with roots tracing back to 1625. The Hémart family, contemporaries of Henri IV, established their presence in Aÿ in the early 17th century. In the early 20th century, Léon Giraud married into the Hémart family and revitalised the vineyard after it was devastated by phylloxera. Today, the house is led by Emmanuelle Giraud, the 13th generation of the Giraud-Hémart lineage, continuing a legacy of excellence in Champagne production.
Henri Giraud is renowned for its commitment to terroir expression and innovative winemaking techniques. The house exclusively uses oak barrels sourced from the nearby Argonne Forest, a practice reintroduced by Claude Giraud in 1990. These barrels are crafted from carefully selected trees, with specific terroirs within the forest imparting distinct characteristics to the wines. This meticulous approach enhances the depth and complexity of their Champagnes.
Under the guidance of cellar master Sébastien Le Golvet, Henri Giraud employs a philosophy that balances tradition with innovation. The winemaking process emphasises minimal intervention, utilising natural materials and fermentation vessels such as terracotta and stoneware, alongside the signature Argonne oak barrels. This approach allows the wines to authentically reflect the unique minerality and character of the Aÿ terroir.
The wine is fermented and aged in bespoke barrels crafted from individually selected Argonne Forest oak trees, each geo-localised and paired with specific vineyard plots. Overseen by cellar master Sébastien Le Golvet, the oak is meticulously toasted to harmonise with the wine’s structure and minerality. Following 12 months of barrel maturation (50% new, 50% one-year-old), the wine undergoes a further four years of lees ageing in bottle. The final dosage of 5g/L enhances balance and finesse.
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