Henri Giraud Argonne 2016 Magnum - 1.5 Litres

Introduction:

Argonne is the emblematic cuvée of the house and its desire to combine two great terroirs: Aÿ Grand Cru and the Argonne forest. It's a champagne based on a blend of 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, from the heart of the cuvée, where the grape juice expresses the most aromatic concentration and acidity. 

This quintessential Aÿ Grand Cru terroir has been entirely vinified and aged in oak barrels. 

Small casks made from oak from the Argonne forest, just a few dozen kilometers from Aÿ. The barrels used are 100% new, and thanks to the house's mastery of barrel toasting, express a wine of unique intensity and complexity. 

This champagne is produced in extremely limited quantities, and each bottle is numbered.

Tasting Notes:

The first nose is delicate, reminiscent of vine peach. 

As the minutes go by, the wine warms up and opens up to pastry notes of dried fruit and sweet spices. The limestone minerality of the Aÿ terroir is never far away, underscoring the wine's airy, delicate character. Finally, hints of orange blossom and cocoa are added to this superb nose. 

On the palate, the wine opens with a beautiful tension, then gives way to a creamy, delicate texture that carries notes of ripe fruit. The minerality is palpable, giving this champagne a unique character.

The Year 2016:

Although winter was mild, spring was persistently cool: at the beginning of June, but also, and above all, during April. 

Most all, it was a rainy year, with almost twice as much precipitation as in a normal year. But the summer was very sunny and dry, allowing the grapes to reach full ripeness.