I have a soft spot for Egly-Ouriet – they used to be the favoured grower Champagne of La Vigneronne, the now defunct South Kensington wine shop that I used to visit a lot when I was starting out.
The house style is lower yields than normal, fermentation in oak, and a low-ish dosage of 5-6 g/litre. This wine comes from Grand Cru vineyards in d’Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay, and is three-quarters Pinot Noir, having spend an admirable 46 months on lees. Disgorged May 2012.
Champagne Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru NV
12.5% alcohol. Warmly aromatic with hints of apricot and toast, as well as ripe apple and almonds. Taut, fresh, powerful palate with apple and pear fruit, as well as some warm toastiness. Very fresh, precise and dry. An intellectual Champagne of great appeal. 93/100 (£42.50 Lea & Sandeman, Roberson)
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This is the blog of wine journalist Jamie Goode, online since 2001. Feel free to nose around; your comments are welcomed.
The prices went crazy after Robert Parker adopted them as one of his favourites. Good stuff, and likely worth £40, but hard to do this when it used to be £20 (in approximate real terms).