Henri Giraud Fut de Chene 1995

`Henri Giraud Fût de Chene 1995 is a vintage barrel-fermented Champagne from Grand Cru vineyards in Aÿ. The Giraud-Hémart family has cultivated grapes in the Champagne region since 1625 but only started to produce wine for themselves in 1990. Henri Giraud’s top cuvée, Fût de Chêne, is a Pinot Noir-dominant blend with a smaller proportion of Chardonnay, using the ‘Petit Pinot’ clone of Pinot Noir which has been grown solely in Aÿ since 1804. "This may be the finest Champagne house virtually no one has ever heard of. These traditionally made, wood-aged Champagnes include a luxury cuvee, the Grand Cru Ay Fut de Chene, which is reminiscent of Krug in a slightly less oxidized style. Full-bodied, and tasting more like a honeyed white Burgundy with bubbles than a Champagne, this is a stunning effort." Robert Parker, 2005