NV Henri Giraud Grand Cru Ay Fut de Chene MV10
Buying options
Tasting notes
Henri Giraud’s MV bottling combines a third of wine drawn from their perpetual reserve with two thirds of the base vintage – in this case, 2010. The base wines were all fermented and aged in Argonne oak for one year prior to going into bottle for secondary fermentation. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, it was disgorged in 2017 – benefiting from some additional post-disgorgement ageing. We last tasted this a year ago and the wine has only improved. The nose is rich and ripe, reminiscent of Amontillado Sherry – with yeasty complexity, nutty tones and dried fruit, as well as bright candied peel, honey and hints of smoky oak spice. The nose is pure decadence, while the palate delivers a beautiful contrast – texturally broad and round, with softly stewed apple, yet driven by a mineral, chalky line and zesty freshness. Long, powerful and serious Champagne.
Hailing from the celebrated Grand Cru terroir of Aÿ in Champagne’s Argonne Forest, the MV10 is crafted with care, spending 12 months in French oak barrels that elevate its complexity. The nose is a fragrant dance of ripe orchard fruits, lush mango, and delicate honeysuckle, inviting you in with its vibrant, tropical allure. On the palate, a beautiful harmony unfolds, where the rich fruitiness is balanced by a touch of savory thyme and a subtle kick of white pepper. Bright citrus peel adds a refreshing lift, highlighting the wine’s lively acidity. The finish is crisp and lasting, with a soft, minerally finish that lingers gracefully. This wine is a true expression of its terroir, offering elegance, depth, and a lasting impression.
Critic scores
Average Score
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Disgorged in May 2024 with a dosage of five grams per liter, Henri Giraud’s NV Aÿ Grand Cru MV20 is composed entirely from Aÿ fruit and blends 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay. Based on the 2020 vintage and enriched with 33% from the perpetual reserve established in 1990, it is vinified in a mix of 50% new oak and 50% once-used barrels. It rises from the glass with a compelling bouquet of pear, mirabelle plum, orange zest and apricot, mingling with toasted bread and nutmeg. Full-bodied and textural, with a robust and muscular profile, it reveals intricate layers and captivating charm, uplifted by bright acidity and culminating in a long, precise finish. Observant tasters will note that this cuvée no longer bears the Fût de Chêne designation; it is now simply labeled MV followed by the last two digits of the base vintage, which typically constitutes around two-thirds of the blend.
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. Dosage: five grams per liter.
Elegant, tapered bottle. To be launched by UK importer New Generation on 19 July 2024. I assume the usual blend of 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, some of it vinified and raised in small Argonne oak barrels for one year. MV stands for 'multi-vintage'. This is based on 2019 with the addition of one-third older wine from a perpetual reserve (solera system) begun in 1990. Annoying agrafe clip over the cork. Pale gold. Rich nose. but with sufficient life and freshness. (I've just tasted Roebuck Estates’ new Rare Expressions No 19 which arguably lacks this.) Really very nice balance. Complete and quite a feat to make a wine so interesting from such relatively young wine. Great depth and persistence. (JR)
About the producer
Henri Giraud is one of the most exciting and pioneering Champagne houses today. Based in Äy, the property’s story begins in the early 17th century, when the Hémart family settled in the region.