Overview of the Wine
Francis Egly is the fourth generation of the Egly family to make wines from their exceptionally located, old vine vineyards in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay (home to some of the greatest Pinot Noir that can be found in all of  Champagne), where he is considered the finest grower. Francis took over from his father Michel in 1980, with the intent and commitment to take these already revered Pinot Noir dominant Champagnes to the absolute apex of quality. He began using organic methods in the vineyards, with regular ploughing, and reduced yields. Once the grapes enter his cellar, Francis makes sure to only allow for the gentlest possible extraction, of which he only keeps the purest first pressing (known as the cuvée). Francis believes deeply that complexity and structure comes not only from perfect fruit, but also from extended lees aging. This belief is felt throughout his lineup, with most of his wines undergoing a minimum of 48 months on the lees with some cuvees being aged for 100+ months! All of this meticulous work in both vineyard and cellar has led to his standing by both his peers, critics and Champagne lovers across the world as one of the greatest growers in all of France.

Organic.

5 Fascinating Facts About Egly-Ouriet

Winemaker
Francis Egly

Grape / Blend
70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay

Origin
Ambonnay, Champagne, France

Tasting Notes
Aromas of fresh pears, light pepper, red fruit. Flavors of mixed red fruits, lemon zest, mixed peppers; creamy. Pairs with asian-inspired dishes; well-aged cheese; white meats. This wine was previously Egly’s ‘Brut Tradition.’ The wine’s blend and aging practices remains the same.

95 Points - Decanter
Although this appears as the 'house' non-vintage, in character it is more akin to a vintage wine that needs some time on cork. Tasted young, the saturated fruit—apricot, spiced apples, grilled lemons—is already expressive, yet not fully unsprung. Based on 2018 with 40% reserves back to 2016, the heat of 2018 is in the fruit profile rather than weight or grip, and is more about persistence than pure power, underlined by the oak élevage yet not coloured by it. 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay. 100% barrel fermentation. (TH)

94 Points - Wine Advocate
As usual, the latest disgorgement of Egly's NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru V.P., this year based on the 2015 vintage complemented by reserve wines from 2014 and 2013, is one of the highlights of the range. Wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, green apple, freshly baked bread, crushed mint, honeycomb, white flowers and praline, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a racy and concentrated core, a pretty pinpoint mousse and a long, saline finish. (WK)

92 Points - John Gilman
The new release of Francis Egly’s non-vintage Brut bottling is from the base year of 2017, but with fully half the blend made from reserve wines from the previous two vintages. Ninety percent of the fruit comes from his family’s vineyards in Ambonnay and the balance from their holdings in Bouzy and Verzenay. The cépages is seventy percent pinot noir and thirty percent chardonnay, with the vins clairs barrel-fermented and aged in cask, but not going through malo. Ten percent of the casks are renewed each year. The wine aged fifty-two months sur latte prior to disgorgement in November of 2021 and was finished with a dosage of a single gram. The wine delivers an excellent nose of apple, hazelnut, fresh-baked bread, a complex base of soil, a touch of buttery oak and plenty of smokiness in the upper register. On the palate the wine is brisk, full-bodied and shows off fine depth at the core, with frothy mousse, snappy acids and fine focus and grip on the long and complex finish. Good juice that will be even better with another few years’ worth of bottle age.

92 Points - Wine Independent
The Brut Grand Cru NV is a 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay blend predominantly from the 2018 vintage (60%). Barrel fermented and kept on lies for nearly one year, it unfurls with attractive notes of lemon cream, vanilla, chalk dust, acacia honey and a minty note of verbena. The medium-bodied, ripe palate is layered with fruit richness and a chalky acid energy that holds through the long, honeyed finish with hints of toast. Disgorged July 2023 and made to an Extra Brut style with one gram per liter dosage. (SM)

 Product size: 750ml