Champagne Egly-Ouriet – Grand Cru Extra Brut

Champagne Egly-Ouriet – Grand Cru Extra Brut.

A commanding and impeccably detailed expression of Ambonnay Grand Cru fruit—vinous, structured, and shaped by the patience and precision that define this legendary grower. Few estates have elevated the idea of “NV Champagne” to such heights, and this cuvée shows exactly why Egly-Ouriet stands at the pinnacle of artisanal Champagne.

About the Winery

For over three decades, Francis Egly has overseen one of the most steadfastly terroir-driven domaines in Champagne. His approach is marked by low yields, flawless vineyard work, long lees ageing, and an unwavering focus on expressing the raw identity of Ambonnay’s Grand Cru slopes.

The estate’s style sits at the intersection of Champagne and great Burgundy: wines of texture, depth and longevity, crafted with uncompromising meticulousness. Barrel fermentation, full malolactic conversion, and extended maturation are all part of the signature—techniques that encourage vinosity while preserving the chalk-driven finesse of their vineyards.

Across Ambonnay, Bouzy, and Verzenay, the domaine cultivates some of the region’s most coveted Pinot Noir sites, and it is this fruit that forms the backbone of their celebrated Grand Cru bottlings.

About the Vineyard

Sourced entirely from Grand Cru vineyards—principally in Ambonnay—this wine reflects terrains defined by deep chalk, ideal exposure, and an ability to produce Pinot Noir of exceptional concentration. Chardonnay from similarly pedigreed parcels adds lift and clarity, balancing the natural power of the Pinot.

These are vineyards that consistently deliver intensity without excess, giving Egly-Ouriet the structural framework needed to craft Champagnes with grip, tension and remarkable ageing potential.

About the Wine

Shaped around the 2017 harvest—supported by reserve wines from the three earlier vintages—this Grand Cru Extra Brut reflects Egly-Ouriet’s patient, detail-driven approach. The wine matured for four years on its lees before disgorgement in September 2022, and a restrained dosage of 3 g/L preserves the tension and purity of its terroir expression. Anchored in Ambonnay Grand Cru fruit, the blend brings together roughly seventy percent Pinot Noir for depth and structure, with thirty percent Chardonnay contributing lift, clarity and finesse.

Built predominantly on the 2017 harvest—supported by reserve wines from the three preceding vintages—this Grand Cru Extra Brut showcases a confident and expressive interpretation of Ambonnay’s powerful Pinot Noir. The blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay undergoes four years of lees ageing, shaping a wine with both depth and precision. Disgorged in September 2022 with a minimal 3 g/L dosage, it stands as a testament to Egly-Ouriet’s insistence on clarity, concentration, and structure.

The nose opens with striking intensity: ripe pear, citrus oil, hints of tangerine and stone fruits, layered with warm pastry notes, crushed nuts, and subtle spice. The extended maturation adds dimension without dulling the wine’s energy, revealing a chalk-inflected brightness that anchors the aromatics. There is an immediate sense of completeness—fruit, lees influence, and minerality all working in sync.

On the palate, the wine is both powerful and finely tuned. Pinot Noir from Ambonnay provides breadth, structure and a confident sense of volume, while Chardonnay introduces tension and verticality. Vibrant acidity and finely beaded mousse create a dynamic framework for flavours of orchard fruit, citrus oil, toasted grain and mineral accents. The chalk imprint is unmistakable—firm, persistent and guiding the wine toward a long, resonant finish with hints of maturity emerging softly at the edges.

This edition exemplifies how Egly-Ouriet transforms the concept of NV Champagne into a vessel for deep terroir expression. It rivals many prestige cuvées in complexity and presence, and will reward further ageing as its layers continue to unfold.

Conclusion

The Champagne Egly-Ouriet – Grand Cru Extra Brut stands as a reference point for what non-vintage Champagne can achieve when crafted with intention, discipline and profound respect for terroir. Vinous, structured and remarkably complete, it captures both the power of Ambonnay and the precision for which the domaine is revered.

We award this wine a 93-point DWA score—a superbly made Grand Cru Champagne with depth, tension and exceptional ageing potential.

This review is written by our own Niels Aarts.

Taste Date: December 2025

Price:          ~ €100

Website:    Champagne Egly-Ouriet