Egly-Ouriet
Francis Egly is the current fourth-generation head of Ambonnay grower-producer Egly-Ouriet. He is against 'vins stereotypés', believing that his mission is 'to please but also to surprise', and insisting that 'the biggest mistake in Champagne is to go against nature'. With the exception of the Pinot Meunier vines in Vrigny, the 9 hectare estate is exclusively Grand Cru, stretching across Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay. Pinot Noir is planted on 7 ha, Chardonnay on 2 ha, and the average age of the vines is more than 35 years. The exposure of many of the vines is south or south east, which gives exceptional ripeness, while the poverty of the shallow and chalky subsoil give a strong mineral streak. The already high natural ripeness levels are raised higher still by the green-harvesting. Egly is adamant that acidity is not fundamental, and almost always sufficient, while bitterness is always fatal. An advocate of 'lutte raisonée' he avoids all insecticides, uses only organic fertilisers and continues to plough as his predecessors have always done.
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Non Vintage France
The wine is fermented using natural yeast and aged on the lees for a year so that the wines clarify slowly, before they are bottled without fining or filtering. The cuvée (70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay) is composed of 50% of the vintage harvested a year before the bottling in 2000 (1999) with the other 50% made up of 20% of 1998, 20% of 1997, and 10% from 1996. A rich, full-bodied wine with evolved flavours this is immensely satisfying.
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Non Vintage France
VP stands for 'vieillissement prolongée' (extended ageing). Bottled in 1999, made from 1998 vintage, 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Six or seven years in the cellar before disgorgement, with a virtually non-existent dosage. Lots of power and elegance.
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Non Vintage Rosé France
Similar approach to the Grand Cru Tradition, except that there is Coteaux Champenois rouge in the cuvée. Pale pink in colour, vibrant, elegant and immensely elegant this is one of the best rose champagnes on the market.
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Vintage France
Golden in colour, full bodied and developed nose, with notes of freshly baked croissants and warm brioche. In the glass this shows a very fine, consistent stream of bubbles. The palate displays white peaches and apricot fruit with a lively fresh acidity which gives a long finish and indicates that this has a good few years ahead for development. A real class act.
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Non Vintage France
This is a top class treat to rival any of the well-known prestige cuvées. 100% Pinot Noir from an ancient vineyard planted in 1947 which is called 'les crayères' ('The chalk mine') after its deep subsoil layer of chalk which begins only about a foot below the surface. The vines have deep roots and their age and the free-draining quality of the chalk give concentrated aromas of red fruits to the old Pinots, while at the same time the minerality of... (more info)
