2016 Henri Giraud Argonne Brut
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This is a typically vinous example of Henri Giraud’s prestige cuvée, Argonne – offering remarkable intensity, concentration and power. The nose entices with notes of baked apples, ripe peach, cedar spice, cinnamon, clove, saffron and vanilla pod, leading to a mouth-filling, round and generous palate – creamy and vibrant. It’s rich yet fresh, with a bit of lemon citrus cutting through its density, before a rush of sherbet fizz, a drizzle of honeycomb and dollop of crème pâtissière. Layered, complex and offering gorgeous tension – with energy that drives the long finish. This is amazingly approachable already, but the oak will benefit from integration as the wine evolves in bottle.
Punteggi della critica
James Suckling
Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate
Altre recensioni e punteggi
Aged entirely in new oak and sourced from four to five estate-owned parcels in Aÿ, the 2016 Aÿ Grand Cru Argonne was disgorged in May 2024 with a dosage of five grams per liter and has turned out very well. It ascends from the glass with notes evocative of woodsmoke, apricot, mirabelle plum, sandalwood and toasted bread, mingling with exotic spices. Composed from the most acid-driven press fraction—the heart of the cuvée—and patinated by its élevage in wood, the wine is full-bodied, layered and chiseled, with a concentrated fruit core, incisive acidity and a long, delicately oak-inflected finish. The perception of new oak—whether seductive or divisive, in the context of this cuvée—inevitably varies from palate to palate; for some, Argonne may represent the most captivating wine in the range, while for others, when encountered in its youth, it may appear rather enigmatic.
The 2016 Brut Grand Cru Aÿ Argonne stands as the pinnacle of superb releases from Champagne Henri Giraud. Evoking aromas of apricot, mirabelle, licorice, anise, ripe orchard fruits and spices, it's full-bodied, rich and vinous, with a deep, concentrated core of fruit and sappy acids, concluding with a long, penetrating, racy finish enhanced by aromas of gentian and sweet spices. A blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay from the grand cru village of Aÿ, vinified and matured in barrels, it was disgorged in February 2023. Kudos!
This is a powerful but elegant wine with a wealth of citrus-fruit freshness, blood orange and grapefruit, as well as toast, dried citrus blossom, white lavender, clove, cardamom and spices. Tense and driven, with so much mineral freshness and focus. Very tight bead of bubbles. Endless finish. This will age incredibly well, but you are want to drink it right away. Try after 2026.
Informazioni sul produttore
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.