{"product_id":"france-champagne-ay-henri-giraud-fut-de-chene-mv14-grand-cru-brut","title":"Henri Giraud, Fut de Chene MV14 Grand Cru Brut","description":"A multi-vintage assemblage consisting of 70-30 Pinot-Chardonnay, Giraud’s NV Brut Fut De Chene Disg. 3\/2012 exhibits resinous – almost coniferous – overtones that point toward wood, in this case new oak from the Argonne. (So it appears from my recent experience that sometimes the flavor of these barrels gets entirely out of the way, and sometimes it asserts itself.) But these wood-borne elements nicely segue into intimations of ocean spray, as well as white peach, grapefruit and lemon that form the luscious basis for this bottling’s sappy, substantial yet vivacious palate. In its gripping and almost blatantly intense finish, too, this wine’s faintly resinous, woody edge manages to dovetail into bittersweet citrus oils, ripe peach, and mouthwatering salinity. Plan to follow it for 3-5 years. (I wouldn’t be surprised to witness it performing impressively thereafter, but lack the experience with Giraud’s singular wines to predict.) Claude Giraud – with whom I have corresponded but have yet to meet – farms 22 acres in Ay, supplemented by purchased fruit. He has become a vocal champion of wood from the local forests of the Argonne, although oak of diverse origins fills out his extensive barrel regimen. Rich, at times positively sumptuous; forceful, sometimes downright powerful; Giraud’s Champagnes make a bold statement that won’t resonate with every lover of this appellation’s wines. And given their prices, even if they weren’t scarce, only a small percentage of wine lovers would be able to access them. To me, they are not just impressive – at times exceptionally so – in their own right, but illustrate the glorious stylistic malleability of Champagne’s grapes and terroirs. I’ll look forwarding to visiting Giraud next year and reporting in much more detail on his stylistic vision and projects as well as his individual cuvees. (I did not taste any recent releases from Giraud’s “Esprit de Giraud” series of tank-raised cuvees.)","brand":"Westgarth Wines","offers":[{"title":"N.V. \/ 6x750ml","offer_id":49496125243559,"sku":"1861800N.V.0600750","price":1480.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2446\/2463\/files\/henri-giraud-fut-de-chene-mv14-brut-grand-cru-ay-champagne-france-1861800.png?v=1778162488","url":"https:\/\/westgarthwines.com\/products\/france-champagne-ay-henri-giraud-fut-de-chene-mv14-grand-cru-brut","provider":"Westgarth Wines","version":"1.0","type":"link"}