Wine Advisor
Henri Giraud, Esprit Nature Brut NV
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Description
Humanity and Sustainability are the key words of L'Esprit Nature, gateway to the Henri Giraud universe. This brilliant wine bears the flag of the house's original commitment to the defense of the environment. Its emblem, the paper oak, tells the story of the fragility of life and the capacity of Man to reinvent it. Sparkling with beautiful mineral bitterness, it pushes the door of the great wines of Champagne, while its incomparable fruit invites shared pleasure.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Esprit Nature is a fine introduction to this range. Crushed flowers, dried pear, spice and chamomile are some of the notes that grace this refined, beautifully lifted Champagne. This is an especially understated style for Giraud, and it works very well. Time in the glass opens the aromatics nicely. The blend is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay based on 2020 with 50% reserve wines. Disgorged: October 15, 2022.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Esprit Nature is a fabulous introduction to this range. Creamy, open-knit and so expressive, the Esprit Nature captures all of the textural intensity that is such a Giraud signature, but in an approachable style. The Esprit Nature is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay done mostly in oak, with a bit of sandstone amphora. This release is based on 2017, 50% reserve wines. Readers should note that the ";Nature"; is used here as part of the wine name, rather than an indication of dosage, which is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 21, 2020. (Originally published in May 2021)
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Esprit Nature is a fabulous introduction to this range. Creamy, open-knit and so expressive, the Esprit Nature captures all of the textural intensity that is such a Giraud signature, but in an approachable style. The Esprit Nature is 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay done mostly in oak, with a bit of sandstone amphora. This release is based on 2017, 50% reserve wines. Readers should note that the "Nature" is used here as part of the wine name, rather than an indication of dosage, which is 6 grams per liter. Disgorged: October 21, 2020.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Esprit Nature is a terrific entry-level wine in this range. Creamy, ample and inviting, with lovely textural depth, the Esprit shows all the resonance of Pinot in its generous, inviting personality. Lemon confit, mint, white flowers, orchard fruit and spice all build in this super-expressive, delicious Champagne from Henri Giraud. I tasted the Esprit after all the big guns in this range, and it showed very well just the same. The Esprit is 80% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ and surrounding villages) and 20% Chardonnay, based on 2016 with 50% reserve wines. Readers should note that ‘Nature’ is part of this wine’s name, and not an indication of dosage. Disgorged: May 4, 2018.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Brut Esprit Nature is a lovely entry-level offering that captures the natural radiance that is so typical of the Giraud Champagnes. The richness and texture of Pinot Noir comes through beautifully in a Champagne built on resonance and breadth. Dried pear, hazelnut, mint and lightly honeyed notes are pushed forward in this classy, polished Champagne. This release is 80% Pinot and 20% Chardonnay, based on the 2015 vintage, with 50% reserve wines. Disgorged November 2017. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The NV Esprit Nature is a classic Henri Giraud wine built on texture and creaminess. An increase in the percentage of Pinot Noir is one of the reasons the Esprit is so rich and inviting in this release. Red berry, dried flowers, mint and brioche notes build into the textured, resonant finish. All the elements fall into place in an effortless, gracious Champagne to savor over the next few years. Dosage is 7.5 grams per liter. Disgorged September 21 2016.
Reviewed by: Stephan Reinhardt
Based on the 2020 vintage, the NV Brut Esprit Nature displays an iodine-inflected and elegant bouquet of menthol, anise, licorice, white peach and spices intertwined with notes of clementine. Medium-bodied, round and sappy, it's slightly creamy, with an elegant, fresh mid-palate that segues into an ethereal, long finish. Bottled in 2021, it was disgorged in November 2023 with a dosage of five grams per liter. This is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay.
About the Producer
In 1625, François Hémart settled in the village of Aÿ and began to produce champagne. Today Claude Giraud, son of Henri Giraud and the 12th generation of the family, presides over the estate’s destiny and produces the Giraud champagnes in Aÿ. The estate is located at the Aÿ Grand Cru comprised with 33,500 hectares of land, only less than 9% in that area can be classified as 100% Grand Cru and Henri Giraud Champagne is one of the few. Over 1000 years, there are only 323 vineyards in the area and Aÿ Grand Cru is the exemplar of all Grand Cru, at the same time here grows the best Pinot Noir. Claude Giraud, 12th generation of the Giraud-Hémart family, today presides over the destiny of this Champagne House.
