Henri Giraud Fut de Chene MV Ay Grand Cru Brut Champagne

The Wine Independent  97 pts

Wine Spectator  94 pts

James Suckling  94 pts

A complex wood-influenced Champagne based around the 2009 vintage, this has a swathe of lemon rind, toasted almonds, chalk, flint and freshly picked mushroom notes to boot. The palate's complex in texture and flavor, delivering a spicy red-fruit thread and a core of bright lemon sorbet. This is really refined, smooth and balanced. A superb Champagne now and it will mature nicely through to 2020+.

Falstaff  94 pts

The golden colour is unusual. The nose immediately reveals its oak vinification with rich tones of vanilla streaked with melted butter. The palate then pits this buttery, rounded, mellow richness against a profoundly mouth-watering vein of saltiness and freshness. This is a game of juxtaposition, of contrast that actually really works out. Very appetising.

Vinum Wine Magazine  17.5/20

Henri Giraud has earned a solid reputation as a master of wood vinification, partly uses local wood from the Argonne forests and is actively committed to preserving the local oak population. But actually he is first and foremost a master of Pinot Noir from the (perhaps best) historic Grand Cru location Aÿ on the Montagne de Reims. It is thanks to his first-class base wines that they get along well with the wood and are not knocked out. go. His rare "Fût de Chêne" has astonishing finesse (not least thanks to the fine perlage), perfectly dosed, that is, unobtrusive, noble oak spice, just the right ripeness, a delicate bitter note and great harmony. Better enjoy it now, with spicy world cuisine with an Asian touch.

Jancis Robinson  17.5/20