Egly-Ouriet Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Crayeres NV Champagne

This is what Champagne from Reims used to be like 100 years ago, Francis Egly told us, before timid winemakers started cutting their cuves with Chardonnay. This single-vineyard Champagne from the noblest of terroirs in Ambonnay is 100% Pinot Noir from 70-year-old vines; the wine spends 51 months on its lees, and is fermented in barrel. “Crayeres” covers itself with the thinest of Champagne soil, yet its heart is pure, solid chalk. The nose is a sensual feastcinnamon and cardamom; the zest of lemons and limes; candied ginger, cherries and crushed stones. Lush and almost thick on the palate, “Crayeres” shows notes of currants and strawberries, reminding of a still red wine. This is truly the benchmark for all great Pinot Noir Champagneperhaps for all Champagne.

Critical Acclaim

98 Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

A blend of the 2015 and 2014 vintages, Egly’s emblematic NV Brut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru Les Crayres was disgorged this year with only one gram per liter dosage. Bursting with aromas of mirabelle plum, Anjou pear and green apple mingled with notions of freshly baked bread, honeycomb and praline, it’s full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, its satiny attack segueing into a deep, layered mid-palate of striking texture and concentration. Concluding with a long, intensely saline finish, it’s another brilliant wine from a great producer at the top of his form.

94 Vinous

The NV (2014) Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru is a classic Egly Champagne that marries vinous fruit density, energy and the complexity that comes after six years on the lees. The 2014 shows lovely aromatic complexity of these Pinots in Ambonnay’s Crayres lieu-dit, and yet remains quite youthful and taut in feel. Pear, slate, crushed rocks, white pepper and tangerine oil lead into the deep, sculpted finish. The blend of 60% 2014 and 2013%, both late-ripening vintages, works so well here. Dosage is 2 gram per liter.