NV Henri Giraud Grand Cru Ay Fut de Chene MV15
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Tasting notes
Henri Giraud’s MV bottling combines a third of wine drawn from their perpetual reserve with two thirds of the base vintage – in this case, 2010. The base wines were all fermented and aged in Argonne oak for one year prior to going into bottle for secondary fermentation. A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, it was disgorged in 2017 – benefiting from some additional post-disgorgement ageing. We last tasted this a year ago and the wine has only improved. The nose is rich and ripe, reminiscent of Amontillado Sherry – with yeasty complexity, nutty tones and dried fruit, as well as bright candied peel, honey and hints of smoky oak spice. The nose is pure decadence, while the palate delivers a beautiful contrast – texturally broad and round, with softly stewed apple, yet driven by a mineral, chalky line and zesty freshness. Long, powerful and serious Champagne.
Hailing from the celebrated Grand Cru terroir of Aÿ in Champagne’s Argonne Forest, the MV10 is crafted with care, spending 12 months in French oak barrels that elevate its complexity. The nose is a fragrant dance of ripe orchard fruits, lush mango, and delicate honeysuckle, inviting you in with its vibrant, tropical allure. On the palate, a beautiful harmony unfolds, where the rich fruitiness is balanced by a touch of savory thyme and a subtle kick of white pepper. Bright citrus peel adds a refreshing lift, highlighting the wine’s lively acidity. The finish is crisp and lasting, with a soft, minerally finish that lingers gracefully. This wine is a true expression of its terroir, offering elegance, depth, and a lasting impression.
MV15 is a multi-vintage blend based on the 2015 vintage, 80% Grand Cru Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, aged in specially selected oak from the terroirs of the Argonne forest. William Kelley said of the 2013 base iteration that it was “the finest Champagne that I have ever tasted from Giraud”. Whilst the MV15 is not yet scored, having tasted it last week we can attest to its magnificence once again. The warm 2015 vintage lends power and opulence, whilst the 30% perpetual reserve (with wines dating back to 1990) perfectly balance it with stunning complexity and nuance. The location of Henri Giraud’s Chardonnay plots at the bottom of the slope in Aÿ, with the river meandering along the bottom providing cooling air, ensures freshness even in a warm vintage. The wood selected for this cuvée is the seasoning – never overwhelming, merely accentuating the natural sweetness and spice of this extraordinarily vinous Grand Cru Champagne. Champagne lovers have come to see the once enigmatic house (Robert Parker referred to “the finest Champagne house virtually no one has ever heard of”), as the ultimate symbol of understated luxury and superior quality, producing “some of the most distinctive wines in Champagne” (Antonio Galloni). Jancis Robinson has called MV “a sort of Montrachet of Champagne” and indeed each new release proves as thrilling as the last. This is produced in extremely limited quantities and is likely to sell out fast. To secure a case, click 'Request To Buy' below, reply to this email (wine@frw.co.uk) or contact your account manager directly. Stunning aromatics, sun-warmed strawberries and sweet cream, fresh mint and shortbread develop into ripe white peach, saffron and sultana notes. With more air, notes of toasted coffee and marrons glacé emerge. This is opulent, expressive Champagne: rich and ripe with hints of the holy Champagne trinity of pastry, shellfish and truffles, plus white chocolate notes spelling absolute luxury. At the same time it retains great tension, poise and a refreshing underlying chalky minerality.
Critic scores
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The MV 20 is a wonderful bridge to the top wines in the range. Apricot, lemon confit, white pepper and crushed rocks build in the glass, filling out the layers effortlessly. The MV 20 is beautifully done, and yet I can't help thinking it is holding back quite a bit of its potential. There's certainly a lot to look forward to. Disgorged: April 2025.
Disgorged in May 2024 with a dosage of five grams per liter, Henri Giraud’s NV Aÿ Grand Cru MV20 is composed entirely from Aÿ fruit and blends 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Chardonnay. Based on the 2020 vintage and enriched with 33% from the perpetual reserve established in 1990, it is vinified in a mix of 50% new oak and 50% once-used barrels. It rises from the glass with a compelling bouquet of pear, mirabelle plum, orange zest and apricot, mingling with toasted bread and nutmeg. Full-bodied and textural, with a robust and muscular profile, it reveals intricate layers and captivating charm, uplifted by bright acidity and culminating in a long, precise finish. Observant tasters will note that this cuvée no longer bears the Fût de Chêne designation; it is now simply labeled MV followed by the last two digits of the base vintage, which typically constitutes around two-thirds of the blend.
A blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, the NV Brut Grand Cru Aÿ Fût de Chêne MV19, based two-thirds on the 2019 vintage and one-third on réserve perpétuelle or soléra, exudes a delicate, pure bouquet of spices, pear, white peach and mirabelle mingled with delicate touches of vanilla pod and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, concentrated and layered, rich and perfectly balanced, it's seamless with bright acids and a long, delicate, white-pepper finish. Vinified and matured 50% in new barrels and 50% in one-year-old barrels, the oak is barely noticeable. Dosage: five grams per liter.
About the producer
Henri Giraud is one of the most exciting and pioneering Champagne houses today. Based in Äy, the property’s story begins in the early 17th century, when the Hémart family settled in the region.