PRODUCER: Egly-Ouriet
REGION: Ambonnay, Verzenay, Bouzy; Champagne, France
WINEMAKERS: Francis Egly
We are simply delighted to represent Egly-Ouriet Champagne, and if you've had the good fortune to taste some of their wines, you will certainly understand why. This is a fourth generation, family-run business now managed by Francis Egly. Considered one of the most talented vignerons in Champagne, he inherited eight hectares of Grand Cru vineyards and recently acquired a two-hectare plot of old-vine Premier Cru Pinot Meunier. A pioneer of the Grower Champagne movement, these wines rank amongst the most prized in our entire portfolio.
WINERY HISTORY
The history of Egly-Ouriet dates to the late 18th century, when the Egly family began cultivating vines in the Montagne de Reims region, famed for its prime Champagne terroir. It was to be around two centuries later that this Maison would reach its pinnacle under Francis Egly. Now heralded among Champagne’s most acclaimed vignerons, the fourth-generation winemaker has taken his family’s Domaine to previously unimaginable heights. A foundational figure in the movement now known as ‘Grower Champagne,’ Egly has dedicated himself to the mastery of his estate.
VITICULTURE & WINEMAKING
Since taking over the family vineyards, Egly has dedicated himself to organic farming, carefully stewarding his land while strictly controlling yields to below half of the status-quo. Combine this with his minimalist approach to winemaking, including native yeast fermentation and low dosage (averaging between 2-5g/L), and you get some of the finest sparkling wines the world has to offer.
The Maison is known for its dedication to traditional and meticulous winemaking methods. The focus is on producing single-vineyard, vintage Champagnes that emphasise terroir expression and each vineyards unique characteristics. It is his Grand Cru Pinot Noir vineyards in the villages of Ambonnay (8ha), Verzenay (1.4ha), and Bouzy (0.3ha) that form the heart of Egly’s stellar range. He also farms a 2ha plot of Premier Cru Pinot Meunier in the village of Vrigny, from which he crafts his renowned “Vignes de Vrigny,” one of the – if not the – world’s finest expression of the oft unsung varietal. The wines are made using a high proportion of unfined and unfiltered base wine, with the resulting blends left to age sur lie for many years. The flagship wine, Grand Cru Extra Brut V.P., spends almost six years aging, helping make this 70% Pinot, 30% Chardonnay blend one of the single most impressive bottles crafted in the entire region. His vintage wines can spend up to seven years sur lie, the resulting wines showing astonishing richness and breadth. All of them have the capacity to age spectacularly, only improving with extended time in bottle. It is not without reason that Egly-Ouriet has become one of Champagne’s reference-point producers.
Francis also makes a very rare, still Pinot Noir from Grand Cru terroir in Ambonnay. If you can get your hands on one we would advise you to grab it!
IN THE PRESS
"Egly-Ouriet’s Champagnes are so good that I have begun buying them to drink chez moi." - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
“No winemaker in Champagne is more precise or meticulous, from vineyard to cellar.” -William Kelley, Wine Advocate
“Make no mistake about it, [Egly-Ouriet] is at the very top of the pecking order in Champagne today.” - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
