Annual Champagne Tasting (November 11 2023): Blend is 100% Chardonnay vinified in oak barrels from 3 to 5 years old; 50% reserve wine aged in barrels; aged for 3 years on lees. Color is a yellow-gold and some hints of green. On the nose, a pleasant and light minerality, apple, and pear. Orchard fruits and chalk carry over on the palate. Fresh finish. Very pleasant for one of the houses cheaper offerings.
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Fin syra, frisk och härlig känsla men skulle må bra av en längre tid i flaska. Ingen överdrivet lagringsbehov, men att komma lite mer till ro vore bra!
Lätt oxidativ ton som balanseras upp med en elegant autolys. Ekfatsanvändningen är kännbar men definitivt inte överdriven. Riktigt bra vin!
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Pale and frothy. A surprising note of fresh pineapple jumps out for a few minutes then fades, to be replaced by chalk and citrus. Light in body and modest in length but a decent sipper.
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Deg 21/02-18. At a great stage now, and will last even longer. Acidity has mellowed out a bit and the taste is round and reminescing of tropical fruit and a hint of lime. Delicious.
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Big Chardonnay. Leans sweet, but healthy acidity keeps it in line. Dried apricots with a toffee-like note on the back end. Delightful with a salty grilled halloumi salad.
Much like their Esprit Nature, drinks like a wine that costs notably more. Giraud continues to be a great value.
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In der Nase zunächst deutlich gelbfruchtig, mit etwas Luft strafft sich das aber recht zügig zu einer eher Richtung Birne tendierenden Frucht, die dann auch in den Hintergrund tritt. Dazu gibt es die üblichen Brioche-Noten, eher hefig-warm als toastig, eine eher dunkle Floralität und einen leicht-zitrischen, leicht dunkel-steinigen Eindruck, wie er (für mich) öfter mal von kalkigen Böden herkommt.
Am Gaumen für meinen Eindruck recht füllig für reinen Chardonnay, dazu hat‘s einen sehr schönen Biss, recht zurückhaltende Säure und wirkt insgesamt durch vorsichtige Dosage und ordentlich Extrakt und wahrscheinlich auch durch den hohen Reserve-Anteil sehr harmonisch und — mangels besserer Vokabel — sehr weinig auf mich. Ich hätte beinahe vergessen, die feine Perlage zu notieren, weil sie auch tatsächlich deutlich zurückhaltend ist.
Insgesamt wirklich eine sehr schöne Balance, klingt sehr elegant aus.
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12% alcohol. Pure C. Distinctive bottle with a nearly conical upper section, not terribly elegant. Pale lemony colour. The fizz is extremely fine but it is persistent. The nose is engaging and floral (honeysuckle, verbena). The mouth is pleasantly vivid, combining roundness (I would say that the dosage is generous) with a refreshing aspect and a bitter kick in the finish. I believe that there is oak involved in the winemaking here, but there is no direct evidence of it, which is a good thing. Went better with plaice than with oysters. A vg bdb, but perhaps not a special one; probably not a repeat purchase on this sampling.
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Luvly, extremely well-priced bubbly from the 12th generation of winemakers of Giraud. 100% Chardonnay Just enough yeastiness to enjoy the aroma of the wine sightly warm. More than sufficient toasted almond, fruit and acidity to bring this baby home with a nice finish. A winer from A to Z. Entire House produces only 250000 bottles so as some commentators have said it is the best grower champagne no one has ever heard of!!!
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Delicious stuff, nose of white stone fruits, cream. Palate vibrant with green apple, nectarine. Elegant. Kept three years in the cellar as our engagement gift.
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Solo 4000 botellas de este blanc de blancs, que nace -como su nombre indica- en un suelo de tiza que imprime carácter. Dorado intenso. Nariz expresiva, hay toques cítricos, fruta con hueso, blanca madura e incluso algún recuerdo de frutas exóticas, algo de mantequilla en segundo plano. En boca cremoso, buena acidez, largo y con profundidad.
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Third sparkling wine tasted at Champagne Henri Giraud. Thank you Mèlissa for the tour and all the information on your winemaking process.
Bright light yellow. Very fresh on the nose with some lavender, light green apples and citrus. High acidity (7.5/10) and medium plus weight. Fresh on the palate with some floral notes, citrus zest, and Granny Smith apples. Long and mouthwatering finish. Drink till 2025.
Aged for three years on the lees. 55% of the fruit comes from Äy and 45% from Montagne de Reims.
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A private lunch (Restaurant Le Taillevent **, Paris, France): Fermented and aged on the lees for twelve months in Argonne oak, full malo, 55% Aÿ, 45% Montagne de Reims, 100% Chardonnay. A vinous and full-on style of Blanc de Blancs, weighty but elegant and with noticeable oak influence on the palate, silky mousse, has power and length.
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11/11/2023 - Bubblesearcher23 Likes this wine: 89 Points
Annual Champagne Tasting (November 11 2023): Blend is 100% Chardonnay vinified in oak barrels from 3 to 5 years old; 50% reserve wine aged in barrels; aged for 3 years on lees. Color is a yellow-gold and some hints of green. On the nose, a pleasant and light minerality, apple, and pear. Orchard fruits and chalk carry over on the palate. Fresh finish. Very pleasant for one of the houses cheaper offerings.
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8/21/2023 - le_franc_de_pied wrote: 91 Points
Fine mousse. Pale yellow. Lemon/citrus stroma, smooth w some vanilla oak. Very nice
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1/10/2023 - Sean Tay wrote: 90 Points
Easy drinking, lemon, grapefruits, mineral. High acidity.
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12/10/2022 - Anton_Wallin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Fin syra, frisk och härlig känsla men skulle må bra av en längre tid i flaska. Ingen överdrivet lagringsbehov, men att komma lite mer till ro vore bra!
Lätt oxidativ ton som balanseras upp med en elegant autolys. Ekfatsanvändningen är kännbar men definitivt inte överdriven. Riktigt bra vin!
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11/7/2022 - sdr Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pale and frothy. A surprising note of fresh pineapple jumps out for a few minutes then fades, to be replaced by chalk and citrus. Light in body and modest in length but a decent sipper.
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5/14/2022 - Bagerhat Likes this wine: 93 Points
Deg 21/02-18.
At a great stage now, and will last even longer. Acidity has mellowed out a bit and the taste is round and reminescing of tropical fruit and a hint of lime.
Delicious.
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11/17/2021 - KAT9 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Clean fruits, good acidity, well made champagne. Lingering finish. Seems to be less brioche, yeasty than other house champagne.
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10/12/2021 - vinko84 wrote: 92 Points
Smooth and Delicious!
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9/18/2021 - Bagerhat wrote: 90 Points
Scent of dough. Tastes great though, and the oak shines through.
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6/9/2021 - Uni No Uta Likes this wine: 91 Points
Big Chardonnay. Leans sweet, but healthy acidity keeps it in line. Dried apricots with a toffee-like note on the back end. Delightful with a salty grilled halloumi salad.
Much like their Esprit Nature, drinks like a wine that costs notably more. Giraud continues to be a great value.
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2/4/2021 - MaJeKu Likes this wine: 90 Points
In der Nase zunächst deutlich gelbfruchtig, mit etwas Luft strafft sich das aber recht zügig zu einer eher Richtung Birne tendierenden Frucht, die dann auch in den Hintergrund tritt. Dazu gibt es die üblichen Brioche-Noten, eher hefig-warm als toastig, eine eher dunkle Floralität und einen leicht-zitrischen, leicht dunkel-steinigen Eindruck, wie er (für mich) öfter mal von kalkigen Böden herkommt.
Am Gaumen für meinen Eindruck recht füllig für reinen Chardonnay, dazu hat‘s einen sehr schönen Biss, recht zurückhaltende Säure und wirkt insgesamt durch vorsichtige Dosage und ordentlich Extrakt und wahrscheinlich auch durch den hohen Reserve-Anteil sehr harmonisch und — mangels besserer Vokabel — sehr weinig auf mich. Ich hätte beinahe vergessen, die feine Perlage zu notieren, weil sie auch tatsächlich deutlich zurückhaltend ist.
Insgesamt wirklich eine sehr schöne Balance, klingt sehr elegant aus.
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1/29/2021 - Klugi Wine wrote: 92 Points
No formal tasting note written. Quite fresh expression of a blanc de blanc with a fine perlage. Will benefit from further ageing.
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12/10/2020 - Bagerhat wrote:
somewhat uneventful. I hope that my remaining bottles become more exciting with some more cellaring..
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9/25/2020 - Eudemis Likes this wine:
12% alcohol. Pure C. Distinctive bottle with a nearly conical upper section, not terribly elegant. Pale lemony colour.
The fizz is extremely fine but it is persistent. The nose is engaging and floral (honeysuckle, verbena). The mouth is pleasantly vivid, combining roundness (I would say that the dosage is generous) with a refreshing aspect and a bitter kick in the finish.
I believe that there is oak involved in the winemaking here, but there is no direct evidence of it, which is a good thing.
Went better with plaice than with oysters.
A vg bdb, but perhaps not a special one; probably not a repeat purchase on this sampling.
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11/3/2019 - Sean Tay wrote:
Blanc de Craie is a new cuvée from Henri Giraud, 100% Chardonnay from 55% Aÿ and 45% Louvois fruit. Tasted at the Domaine Henri Giraud.
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4/19/2019 - lesz Likes this wine: 91 Points
very nice bubbly
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12/29/2018 - BuzzzzOff Likes this wine: 91 Points
Luvly, extremely well-priced bubbly from the 12th generation of winemakers of Giraud. 100% Chardonnay Just enough yeastiness to enjoy the aroma of the wine sightly warm. More than sufficient toasted almond, fruit and acidity to bring this baby home with a nice finish. A winer from A to Z. Entire House produces only 250000 bottles so as some commentators have said it is the best grower champagne no one has ever heard of!!!
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8/24/2018 - benjaminpaul wrote: 89 Points
Delicious stuff, nose of white stone fruits, cream. Palate vibrant with green apple, nectarine. Elegant. Kept three years in the cellar as our engagement gift.
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1/1/2018 - PacoHigon Likes this wine:
Solo 4000 botellas de este blanc de blancs, que nace -como su nombre indica- en un suelo de tiza que imprime carácter. Dorado intenso. Nariz expresiva, hay toques cítricos, fruta con hueso, blanca madura e incluso algún recuerdo de frutas exóticas, algo de mantequilla en segundo plano. En boca cremoso, buena acidez, largo y con profundidad.
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12/14/2017 - Millennial Drinkers wrote: 90 Points
Third sparkling wine tasted at Champagne Henri Giraud. Thank you Mèlissa for the tour and all the information on your winemaking process.
Bright light yellow. Very fresh on the nose with some lavender, light green apples and citrus. High acidity (7.5/10) and medium plus weight. Fresh on the palate with some floral notes, citrus zest, and Granny Smith apples. Long and mouthwatering finish. Drink till 2025.
Aged for three years on the lees. 55% of the fruit comes from Äy and 45% from Montagne de Reims.
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11/18/2017 - Milliontown wrote: 92 Points
Crisp, quite peachy, limey, everything I love in a good BdB. Fresh and fruit-forward, pleasure to drink.
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4/27/2017 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
A private lunch (Restaurant Le Taillevent **, Paris, France): Fermented and aged on the lees for twelve months in Argonne oak, full malo, 55% Aÿ, 45% Montagne de Reims, 100% Chardonnay. A vinous and full-on style of Blanc de Blancs, weighty but elegant and with noticeable oak influence on the palate, silky mousse, has power and length.
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9/15/2016 - tobyc wrote:
Chalk and sea shells - thought not in the same abudance as I remember it. Very crispy wine w. lemon zest and good, lenghty acidity.
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