Champagne Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Extra Brut NV

Egly-Ouriet produces vinous, terroir expressive, Champagne primarily from the noble Grand Cru village of Ambonnay (the top village for Pinot Noir in Champagne), where he is widely regarded as the finest grower. Owner and winemaker Francis Egly took over from his father in 1982, after which he immediately converted the domaine to 100% estate bottling, and in the process became one the original pioneers in the grower Champagne movement. Since that time, Francis’ reputation has grown to where he is now known as one of Champagne’s top producers. The domaine is comprised of organically farmed old vine Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—50 years old on average – from some of the most prized vineyards in all of Champagne, including the famed Les Crayères in Ambonnay. Egly’s wines are aged extensively on the lees (up to 10 years) that lend the wines a distinctively vinous quality. As Peter Liem describes them, “If there are any Champagnes that fit the often-used description of “Burgundy with bubbles”, Egly-Ouriet’s would be the leading candidates.” It is clear the wines of Egly-Ouriet stand at the summit of intense, complex, and texturally precise Champagnes.