"95 Points - Thomas Parker MW
This year's Brut Grand Cru is a knockout. The fruit comes from Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay, fermented and matured in barrel on the lees before four yees on lees in bottle. 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The 2024 disgorgement is 50% 2019, 30% 2018 and 20% 2017. 2g/l dosage. Bright gold in the glass. Powerful right out of the gates, layering sourdough, confit lemon, pulpy peach and apricot and breakfast pastries on the nose. The palate follows - this is a big, bold, powerful and gastronomic Champagne, the fruit is solar and intense without excess, the acid tangy and harmonious, the mousse beautifully refined but creamy and unerring. Freshly baked bread and pasty dough come through, adding complexity and depth. The density and freshness work beautifully together in this ageworthy wine, which will benefit from a year or two in bottle and drink well for over a decade. The finish is minutes long. Superb."
Francis Egly has played a significant role in shaping modern Champagne. As one of the early growers to adopt a Burgundian method of meticulous farming of their own vineyards, rather than buying in grapes as is commonplace for the Grandes Marques - Egly-Ouriet has established itself at the top of the pyramid for quality and style in the region.
Egly's wines are loaded with personality, with a diverse range built around gastronomic depth, ageing potential and downright drinkability. Old vines on great terroir are managed skillfully to produce some of the best fruit in all of Champagne. Two presses with customised chilling plates ensure the finest juice is taken from this fruit, a significant investment that has had a positive impact on quality.
New oak barrels are used for most cuvées, but the aim is not to impart significant flavour from the barrels but to add depth without the risk of picking up imperfections from used wood. Lees ageing in bottle is long - particularly for the top cuvées - adding depth and complexity without masking the fruit. The results are outstanding, with Kelley saying "recent releases from Egly have been consistently nothing short of spectacular."
