Wine Advisor
Henri Giraud, PR 90-20 NV
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Description
The first release labeled PR (Perpetual Reserve) 90-19 which is very limited and contains 50% of reserve wines in a solera system which dated back to 1990. With only 8,000 bottles to be released to the market, this comes highly recommended. The art on the bottle is his first metaphysical hint that time is factored into every element of this wine. It’s meant to convey the span of vintages and spatial distances captured in this single cuvée. Oak barrels made from 90+-year-old trees, base wine from two different multi-vintage soleras that tell vintage stories dating back to the 1950s, time to barrel ferment and mature the Grand Cru base wines at the start, and the time to elaborate the finished wine. Grape Varieties 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Tasting Notes Golden yellow color. The palate it is rich, creamy and full of character, with balanced acidity and a long and expressive finish. Rating JS 97 points from JS Wine Rating “The center palate to this is impressive with light salted caramel, toffee, dried apple and peach skin. It opens to reveal aromas and flavors of sea salt, oyster shell and chalk. Medium to full body. Some creme brulee. Creamy texture. Extremely long and complex at the end. 80% pinot noir and 20% chardonnay. Blend of two solera systems of perpetual reserve, started in 1990.” - Tasted on Aug 7, 2023 by James Suckling Region/Country: France
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Yohan Castaing
Crafted from one-third of MV's perpetual reserve and two-thirds of Esprit's perpetual reserve, the NV PR 90/20 shows brilliantly today. Evoking aromas of vanilla pod, spices, beeswax and argan, it's full-bodied, concentrated and rich, with a creamy, vinous texture and a gastronomic bitterness. It concludes with a slightly phenolic, tannic, long and superb finish.
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.
