Egly-Ouriet | Grand Cru Extra Brut | Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs | Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims, Champagne | Practicing Organic
Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered grower-producers, based in the Grand Cru village of Ambonnay on the Montagne de Reims. Francis Egly farms his parcels with meticulous care — practicing organic viticulture, harvesting by hand, and working exclusively with indigenous yeasts — producing Champagnes of uncommon depth, vinous texture, and site-driven precision that have earned the domaine a cult following among collectors and sommeliers worldwide.
The Grand Cru Extra Brut is the estate's signature non-vintage cuvée and the definitive expression of the Egly-Ouriet house style. Composed of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, the fruit is sourced primarily from Ambonnay, with additional parcels from the Grand Cru villages of Bouzy and Verzenay. These chalk-rich vineyards on the Montagne de Reims produce naturally concentrated fruit with the freshness and structure essential for extended aging.
Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels, including approximately 10% new oak. Malolactic fermentation is blocked to preserve natural acidity, energy, and tension. The wine spends approximately 48 months aging on its lees before disgorgement, and is finished with a dosage of approximately 2 grams per liter — bottled unfined and unfiltered. In character, this non-vintage behaves more like a vintage wine, requiring time on cork to fully reveal its depth.
Expressive and beautifully layered on the nose: ripe pear, red apple, raspberry, and citrus peel, with toasted brioche, roasted nuts, gentle spice, and crushed chalk. The palate is concentrated and vinous — fine, energetic mousse, vibrant acidity, and a compelling mineral freshness, with orchard fruit, red berries, grilled citrus, and bitter almond unfolding to a persistent, saline finish. Approachable upon release, yet structured for further bottle development.
A versatile Champagne for the table — pairs beautifully with oysters, scallops, lobster, smoked salmon, sushi, roasted poultry, pork, mushroom dishes, charcuterie, and aged cheeses such as Comté.
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Producer: Egly-Ouriet
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Cuvée: Grand Cru Extra Brut
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Classification: Grand Cru
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Appellation: Ambonnay, Montagne de Reims, Champagne, France
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Villages: Primarily Ambonnay; also Bouzy and Verzenay
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Grape Varieties: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
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Farming: Practicing organic
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Soils: Chalk-rich
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Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts; French oak barrels (~10% new)
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Malolactic Fermentation: Blocked
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Lees Aging: ~48 months
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Dosage: ~2 g/L
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Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
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Bottle Size: 750ml
Critical Acclaim
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Wine Advocate — 94 pts: Although this appears as the 'house' non-vintage, in character it is more akin to a vintage wine that needs some time on cork. Saturated fruit — apricot, spiced apples, grilled lemons — already expressive yet not fully unsprung. Based on 2018 with 40% reserves back to 2016. 100% barrel fermentation. Persistence over pure power, underlined by oak élevage yet not coloured by it.
As this is a non-vintage Champagne, base vintages, reserve-wine proportions, dosage, and disgorgement dates may vary by release.
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