Starting to work with the wines of Egly-Ouriet in Ambonnay was a great moment for us; I had long been an avid fan and drinker of Francis Egly’s wines, considering them to be among the very finest in Champagne. My opinion has certainly not changed, with recent experiences from the latest releases elevating my view still further.
I have written plenty of enthusiastic words on this estate in the past, often begging our clients’ forgiveness if I rattle on a touch. Here, I will do my best to succinctly flag the key points relating to the remarkable quality of this outstanding range of wines.
• These are not just great Champagnes, they are great wines; the complexity and precision are hugely impressive.
• Francis Egly is one of the most meticulous growers I have ever met; he operates to exacting standards. He is also a rare talent.
• All of the wines are made from fruit grown on Grand Cru classified vineyards – no Premier Cru fruit is employed here.
• The fruit comes from a number of Champagne's greatest Grand Cru vineyards or terroirs, including Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay.
• The majority of Egly-Ouriet’s production is Pinot Noir from Ambonnay; it dominates in each cuvée and is showcased in the Blanc de Noirs, ‘Les Crayères’.
• Nothing is hurried here; the wines are given time to develop. For example, the Brut Tradition sees 54 months on lees and the ‘VP’ (a cuvée that sees extended ageing) sees a whopping 82 months on its lees.
I include the most recent notes from Antonio Galloni of vinous.com below, who commented of Egly-Ouriet in general that ‘readers will find much to admire in this range of stellar, captivating Champagnes.’ I could not agree more; these are seriously fine Champagnes. This begs the question: why do clients continue to pay hefty sums for Grandes Marques that show nothing like the same quality or individuality?
NV Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition, Grand Cru
£210 per 6 bottle case in bond
(70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, largely from Ambonnay, with Verzenay and Bouzy, 50% barrel-fermented)
92 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
The NV Brut Tradition Grand Cru is gorgeous. Rich, resonant and expressive on the palate, but with the freshness that is now part of the house style, the Brut Tradition is wonderfully complete. Dried pear, smoke, crushed flowers and chamomile are finely-knit in this super-appealing, mid-weight Champagne. The current release spent 54 months on its lees, which is decidedly on the long side for a wine in its peer group. Then again, long aging is one of the things that distinguishes these very special, artisan Champagnes from the pack. Disgorged: January 2017. Drink 2017-2025.
NV Egly-Ouriet VP Vieillissement Prolongé, Grand Cru, Extra Brut
£320 per 6 bottle case in bond
(70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, largely from Ambonnay, with Verzenay and Bouzy, 50% barrel-fermented)
93 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
Egly's NV Extra Brut Grand Cru V.P. (Vieillissement Prolongé) shows the natural richness that comes with 82 months on the lees. Even so, the V.P. retains a good bit of freshness to play off some of its more overt leanings. Brioche, baked apple, mint, crushed flowers and red stone fruits develop in the glass. As is so often the case with the Egly-Ouriet's Champagnes, it is the wine's texture and overall resonance that stands out most. What a gorgeous Champagne this is. The V.P. is 100% Pinot Noir from Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay. Disgorged May 2016. Drink 2019-2030.
2007 Egly-Ouriet Brut, Grand Cru
£440 per 6 bottle case in bond
(75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay from vines aged over 50 years, 100% Ambonnay fruit, barrel-fermented)
94 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
The 2007 Brut Millésime Grand Cru is soft, open-knit and quite expressive. Although a touch slender, the 2007 offers terrific persistence and also has the balance to drink well for at least a handful of years. Apricot, red plum, dried flowers, lemon confit and dried flowers add layers of nuance to a mid-weight Champagne that is more about understated class and power. The 2007 spent a whopping 102 months on its lees prior to being disgorged in January 2017. Drink 2017-2025.
NV Egly-Ouriet Blanc de Noirs, ‘Les Crayères’ Vieilles Vignes, Grand Cru
£450 per 6 bottle case in bond
(100% Pinot Noir, from a single parcel of vines in Ambonnay, only made by blending best years, barrel-fermented and aged)
95+ points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
Bright, floral and lifted, the NV Blanc de Noirs Les Crayeres VV Grand Cru is another fabulous Champagne from Egly-Ouriet. The flavors are remarkably precise in this breathtakingly beautiful, vibrant Champagne. Tension, precision and energy are the signatures. This release is 50% 2010 and 50% 2009. Readers who can find the Crayeres should not hesitate, as it is superb. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged January 2017. Drink 2020-2030.
*N.B. The Vinous reviews may relate to different disgorgement dates.
Please let us know of your interest. Please also note that we ship this range of wines once a year directly from Egly-Ouriet and, while the Brut Tradition is normally in good stock, the other cuvées tend to sell through faster. All wines are available for immediate delivery.