There’s no turning back once the enveloping nose of fresh nuts, raw brown sugar, chocolate and saffron has you in its grasp! Rich to the point of slight oiliness on the dense mid-palate, this unique champagne is very concentrated, but the incredible texture, which reaches a climax in the full, silky finish, is every bit as impressive.

This is like apple pie and yet there is an oyster shell saltiness here and caramel overtones. The palate is just as mouthwatering, presenting a very powerful, muscular but absolutely toned core, underscored by finest freshness and again with hat echoing salty depth on the finish. A phenolic edge makes this especially compelling at the table.

The NV Hommage au Pinot Noir is another fabulous wine in this range from Giraud. Rich, ample and creamy, the Hommage is so expressive today. The Hommage is 100% Pinot Noir done in an unusual style that sees eleven months in oak followed by six months in tank, an approach that is much more common for white Burgundy.

This has a vivacious nose of ripe, fresh fruit, especially red berries, that interplays nicely with spicy and floral notes. The mouthfeel is plush but without a trace of heaviness, as the palate demonstrates perfect poise on its way to a magnificently long and seemingly weightless finish.

There's a citrusy overtone to this rich Champagne, in the form of fragrant accents of verbena, lime blossom and Grand Marnier liqueur, as well as a backbone of lemon peel acidity that enlivens the creamy range of baked melon, toasted hazelnut and ginger biscuit flavors. A thread of warm baking spices winds along the mouthwatering finish.