Egly-Ouriet Champagne

Some wines chase your attention. Others quietly earn your respect. Egly-Ouriet has been doing the latter for as long as I can remember and for many of you, I imagine it's earned a permanent place in your cellar.

I looked through the sales history and realized we've been selling this wine to many of the same customers for years. Nobody asks for reviews. They don't ask what changed. When the new disgorgement arrives, they simply reorder. That's when I know it's become a favorite.

It reminds me of the old friendly neighborhood restaurant you have frequented for years. There may be newer, trendier places, or restaurants that are nearly impossible to get into. But there's something satisfying about walking into a place, the owner knows your name and you don’t even need to look at the menu. They know what you like and deliver an amazing experience every time! That's what Egly-Ouriet has become for me. If someone asked me to keep just one Champagne on hand, not the only one I'd ever drink, but the one I'd always want within reach, this would be awfully hard to beat. It delivers every time I open it.

Part of that comes from the way François Egly has remained true to his style. The latest release is based on the 2020 harvest, complemented by 50% reserve wines from 2019 and 2018. The blend remains 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, sourced entirely from Grand Cru vineyards in Ambonnay, Bouzy, and Verzenay. The wine spends 48 months on its lees, sees no malolactic fermentation, and is finished with just 1 g/L dosage. More than anything, it reflects a style François Egly has spent decades honing.

I opened a bottle this week while writing this email. The first sip was exactly what I'd hoped for. Pure Pinot Noir character, followed by the kind of depth and texture that make you slow down and pay attention. It has plenty of richness, but there's enough energy to keep you coming back for another sip. Before I knew it, my tasting glass had turned into a drinking glass.

There are plenty of Champagnes I get excited to try. There are only a handful I'm genuinely excited to come back to. For many of us, Egly-Ouriet will always be one of them.