Egly Ouriet V.P. Grand Cru Extra Brut

As usual, the latest disgorgement of Egly's NV Extra-Brut Grand Cru V.P., this year based on the 2015 vintage complemented by reserve wines from 2014 and 2013, is one of the highlights of the range. Wafting from the glass with aromas of pear, green apple, freshly baked bread, crushed mint, honeycomb, white flowers and praline, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a racy and concentrated core, a pretty pinpoint mousse and a long, saline finish.  William Kelly 94

Egly-Ouriet is one of the growing number of family owned grower-producers in Champagne making a name for themselves and taking on the big Champagne houses. Unlike many of the big houses who may not own the majority of their vineyards and source their grapes from multiple growers, a grower-producer has control of the grapes from start to finish. This means that the style of the wine may not be as consistent as the large houses, but the wines can often show more personality and character as well as reflect the season and vineyard variations.

The VP stands for Vieillisement Prolonge (prolonged aging) and refers to the 70 months that this wine spends on lees before final bottling.

60% Pinot Noir
40% Chardonnay
All Grand Cru Vineyards