Vibrant and saline with a medium body, tangy acidity and a textured, almost oily palate. Serious and structured Blanc de Noirs with notes of grapefruit, salted almonds, apricot skin and stones. Tight bubbles. Gourmand. 40% perpetual reserve. Drink or hold.

Hommage au Pinot Noir NV is a Blanc de Noirs has an open knit, redolent and rich nose with notes of red berry coulis, baked peaches, butter pastry, acacia honey and an oxidized nutty note. The medium to full-bodied palate shows incredible acid freshness embracing a pure red fruit core through an elegant, long finish. - Sarah Mayo

A harmonious Champagne, with notes of tea rose, lime blossoms and star anise acting as a fragrant skein that winds throughout. Shows a fine, raw silk–like texture, with the aromatic profile accenting flavors of raw almond, crème de cassis, steeped raspberry and candied pink grapefruit zest. Drink now through 2028. — A.N.

This pours bronze and notably open-stanced, with roasted apple, dried pear and bay leaf. The Pinot expression is insistent, though, with raspberry tart and dried apricot richness, even if it has a little wild side. A stylistic outlier in the tasting, with more oxygen influence than most, but one that will certainly find fans. Pinot Noir from Aÿ, in the Vallée de la Marne.

The NV Hommage au Pinot Noir offers plenty of Henri Giraud character in a more approachable style than the top-tier wines in most years. Kirsch, plum, cinnamon, dried flowers and cedar give the Hommage its effusive character. It oozes with Pinot charm. This release is based on 2019 and includes 40% reserve wines. Dosage is 5 grams per liter. Disgorged: April 24, 2023. -- Antonio Galloni