多谢Johnny分享如此精彩难得的香槟！及以上靓照！

Henri Giraud Grand Cru Fut de Chene 1993 Brut Champagne (750ml)

Grape proportions: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay - Ay Grand Cru

Tasted on Feb. 19, 2011

Tasting Note:

Intense, bright golden robe.

The nose begins with exquisite fruity sweetness of grapefruit and preserved lemon, then gradually unfolds broader aromatic spectrum of cream, vanilla, biscuit, hazelnut, chalk and sea side note.

The palate is packed with dense layers of bright, oily, silky, crystalline fruit (grapefruit, preserved lemon and even hints of litchi), yet in no way heavy as lifted by the brilliant acidity, like a ballerina on her toes. The oaky character is noticeable yet well countered, even suppressed by the concentrated fruit and brilliant acidity.

It seems the Chardonnay has the upper hand right now, but there are already hints of oily dark fruit in the background. The excellent, concentrated fruit sweetness here is quite reminiscent of Gosset's Ay dominant top cuvees...                          

This one has excellent ageing potential and may gain more biscuity, smoky complexities with time. But its charm is already irresistable right now!

Hailed as the best 'Fut de Chene' vintage in the 1990's, this 1993 clearly demonstrates its superority to the 1996 we tasted last time in that 93 has better concentration of fruit to cope with the oak.

My earlier tasting note of 96 Ay Grand Cru Fut de Chene, and Tom Stevenson's introduction of this oaked monocru bubbly:

http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_517ac8680100jvuu.html   

注意93与96年份的标刻区别：93 GRAND CRU FUT DE CHENE;

96 AY GRAND CRU FUT DE CHENE

编号为09273的AY GRAND CRU FUT DE CHENE 1996

编号为02982的 GRAND CRU FUT DE CHENE 1993