Henri Giraud Esprit Nature NV

Family owned since the 1600s. The Giraud-Hémart family own 20 hectares - 35 parcels of Grand Cru land farmed to HVE principles, of which 26 is planted with Pinot Noir and 9 with Chardonnay. This is supplemented with some purchased fruit, however the overall production is limited to 250 000 bottles a year, so a lot smaller than any of the major houses They are one of the few houses (alongside Krug is another example) that conduct all primary fermentations in oak. All the wood for their barrels comes from the slow growing, tight grained, high quality trees of the ancient forest of Argonne, lying just 35 miles from the estate. 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. With 50% reserve wines matured in small casks made of oak from the forest of Argonne and in ovoid (egg-shaped) vats. Dosage 8 g/l. A rich, satisfying fizz