Henri Giraud

Argonne 2011 | Bottle 75cl - Wooden case

Description

Cuvée Argonne 2011 from Henri Giraud is a unique champagne, a symbiosis between the incredible terroir of Aÿ and the oak trees of the Argonne forest.

Vinified in oak barrels from the Argonne forest (Marne), this cuvée is totally unique. The Pinot Noir d'Aÿ is magnified to create a champagne of astonishing aromatic power and unique complexity.

The grapes come from a legendary Champagne parcel: Les Valnons. Located at the very heart of the Aÿ Grand Cru terroir, just above the Châtillon hillside, it features a massal selection of Pinots Noirs offering rich berries with singular aromas. Chardonnays from the Croix-Courcelles parcel complete the blend.

This blend is vinified in new oak barrels from the Argonne forest, an art that few cellar masters master.

Produced in a limited edition of just 1000 bottles, Cuvée Argonne 2011 comes in a numbered, stapled bottle.

2011 was a difficult year from a climatic point of view. It epitomizes those difficult years in Champagne when only the great terroirs come out on top. The two months of July and August 2011 - rainy, grey and cold, interspersed with short, very hot spells - left deep scars in Champagne. But late August and early September were magnificent, allowing the grapes to reach superb ripeness.

Argonne 2011 by Henri Giraud has a golden color with fine bubbles.

The first nose is delicate, evoking vine peach. As the minutes go by, the wine warms up and opens up to pastry notes of dried fruit and sweet spices. The limestone minerality of the Aÿ terroir is never far away, underlining the airy, delicate side of this superb vintage. Finally, notes of orange blossom and cocoa invite you in on this superb nose.

On the palate, the wine opens with a beautiful tension, then gives way to a creamy, delicate texture that carries notes of ripe fruit. The minerality is palpable, giving this champagne a unique character.

Argonne 2011 is an ideal accompaniment to fine food.