Henri Giraud, PR 90-19 NV

Description

PR 90-19 is a blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. As with all the Giraud wines, it was barrel fermented in Argonne oak and has a minimum of 3 years on lees before disgorgement. 8000 bottles were produced for sale. The lot tasted here was disgorged on the 13th of January, 2023. All Henri Giraud disgorgement dates are etched on the bottle for full traceability. Champagne Henri Giraud has 11 hectares of Aÿ Grand Cru vineyard planted on a chalky, Southern facing slope with 75% Pinot Noir (mostly on the slope) and 25% Chardonnay (bottom of the slope). An additional 30 hectares of vines in Aÿ, Vallée de la Marne, and Montagne de Reims are managed under contract, mostly to produce the NV Esprit Brut Nature. Since the early 2000s Claude Giraud, the 12th generation of the Giraud-Hémart family, has overseen the House. Sébastien, Claude’s son-in-law, began in 2004, directed his first solo assemblage the following year, and took over the winemaking entirely in 2010.

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.