Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Millésime 2002

The superb Champagne Egly-Ouriet, a Récoltant-Manipulant from the pretty Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims.

They have around twelve hectares of vineyards, the majority of which lie in Ambonnay, mainly planted with Pinot Noir as well as some parcels in the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy and Verzenay. They also have a plot in the Premier Cru village of Vrigny which is planted with old Pinot Meunier vines used in the cuvée “les Vignes de Vrigny”. They also have a lieu-dit in Ambonnay named “Les Crayères” which is planted with very old Pinot Noir vines dating back to 1946 used in the utterly brilliant “Blanc de Noirs Vielles Vignes”.

This exciting house is biodynamically influenced and producing cuvées of the very highest quality. The yield is kept very low and the natural vinification process largely takes place in oak “barriques”. Dosage is also very low across the entire range and the natural processes ensure low levels of sulphur. Add to this mix the single vineyard and lieu-dit cuvées and the result is truly stunning Champagnes. Testament to what can be achieved by a great Récoltant.

Producing around 68,000 bottles per year, Egly-Ouriet offer six cuvées along with Ambonnay Rouge and Ratafia. It is worth noting that Anselme Selosse used to buy his Pinot Noir from Francis Egly to produce his own Rosé which is a very good yardstick indeed!

CHAMPAGNE CLUB by RICHARD JUHLIN

★★★★ of ★★★★★

Firman grundades 1930 och Michel Egly äger i dag 7,7 hektar pinot noir i Ambonnay, 0,3 i Bouzy och 1,5 i Verzenay samt 2 hektar meunier i Vrigny. Vinstockarna är i snitt över 35 år gamla och till prestigevinet 60 år. Vinerna är monstruöst stora och rika.

Odlaren är mycket nära fem stjärnor genom sin fantastiska utveckling på senare år. Förmodligen den främsta pinot noirodlaren i hela Champagne numera. Hans eftersökta Blanc de Noirs Vielles Vignes kommer från druvor från pinotstockar planterade 1946 som ger detta vin en extra tyngd och täthet. Frukten är massiv, mjuk och lagringspotentialen är enorm. För varje upplaga lyckas han bättre och bättre. I dag är detta en Selosselik exotiskt ekig och biodynamiskt influerad jätteskumpa. Smaklagren är fantastiskt generösa och månghövdade.

Enda pinotodlaren som nosar på 5 stjärnor.

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Egly-Ourie  -  for Champagne lovers

Francis Egly, is the fourth generation of the Domain Egly-Ouriet, and was the original pioneer to raise the status of small-scale growers, at a time dominated by the standard Champagne houses. Since he took the reins from his father 1980, Francis’ reputation has grown to where he is now known as one of Champagne’s top producers.  

The Egly-Ourie produces Champagne primarily from the noble Grand Cru village of Ambonnay, the top village for Pinot Noir in Champagne. The vineyards, some of the most prized in Champagne, covers around 10 hectares with vine’s more than 40 years in average.

Francis, a winemaker with an inclination for ageing base wines in barrels, depending on the harvest’s and the wine’s characteristics, is among the few producers that use biodynamic farming.

Contrary to Champagne, who sells its bottles younger and younger, Francis, like his father, builds patiently a treasure and ages his wines far longer than the competitors, that allows him to sell  his vintages after ageing up to 10 years. With a very low production, around 70 000 bottles depending on the year, these bottles are highly sought after

In the end of 2019, Egly-Ouriet 2008 received the top score of 100 points from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The prestigious French magazine La Revue du Vin de France (LARVF) has  given Egly-Ourie champagne the best rating in its category with a position 19/20 as well as the best champagne in the world without vintage.

Egly-Ourie is "cult" for Champagne lovers!

A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from 45-year-old vines,vinified in barrels, 25% of which were new. Egly’s vintage is one of the most sought-after grower Champagnes in the world especially in such a great vintage as this, and for very good reason.

Ambonnay’s unique terroir gives rich, meaty depth to this Champagne, yet there is freshness and acidity on the finish that gives length and an uplifted finish.

Dining:

A champagne as this goes well with dishes of chicken, fish dishes with a little bit stronger flavor and kaldyr of various kinds also soft cheeses.