NV Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Brut Rose [Disg. 06/2022]

The NV Champagne Rose Cuvee is based on the 2019 vintage and boasts a pale pink bright hue. Blended with approximately 5% red wine from plots of old vines in Ambonnay, it’s fresh and fruity on the nose, with aromas of fresh raspberries, peach or nectarine, and saline. The palate is powerful and appealing, and the ripeness of the fruit is long on the palate, with notes of orange oil, citrus oils grapefruit, and a clean, stony finish. Drink over the coming 15 years. 15,000 bottles per year are produced.

Also brilliant, the lighter salmon-hued NV Champagne Grand Cru Brut Rosé has a captivating nose of orange blossom, toasted bread, honeysuckle, dried flowers, and spice. With flawless balance, medium to full body, integrated acidity, building richness, and a great, great finish, this is another spectacular wine in the lineup to drink over the coming 10-15 years or so.

The NV Brut Rosé Grand Cru blends roughly two-thirds Pinot Noir and one-third Chardonnay with 2% of red wine. The current release is based on the 2010 vintage and according to Francis, only barrel-fermented parts have been used for the blend. Fresh red berries and cherries on the nose lead to a very fruity, firm, fresh and elegantly textured palate. The wine is lovely, clear and mineral, with aromatic sweet cherry fruit and delicate tannin structure. With two or three grams of dosage, this is virtually an Extra Brut. The grapes were sourced in the Grand Cru terroirs of Ambonnay, Bouzy and Verzenay.