Champagne Grand Cru 2017 Vintage Egly-Ouriet | Champagne

Description: Champagne Grand Cru 2017 | Egly-Ouriet

Egly-Ouriet’s 2017 Vintage Grand Cru Champagne reflects the character of theAmbonnay terroir. This prestigious cuvée is crafted from old vines and benefits from meticulous care, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Its extended aging allows it to develop its full complexity before being released for tasting.

Terroir and Grape Varieties

Ambonnay is a Grand Cru-classified village located on the Montagne de Reims. Its chalky and limestone soils promote drainage while providing freshness to the vines. This terroir gives the Pinot Noir beautiful depth and a distinctive structure. For this vintage, the blend consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir contributes body and structure, while the Chardonnay adds freshness and finesse.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The grapes are harvested at full ripeness and then fermented in oak barrels with their native yeasts. Malolactic fermentation is not carried out in order to preserve the wine’s natural acidity and freshness. The champagne is then aged on its lees for 96 months, or eight years. The dosage is limited to 1 g/L, classified as “extra-brut.”

Champagne Grand Cru 2017 | Egly-Ouriet: The Sommelier’s Review

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin

Egly-Ouriet has crafted a vintage Champagne that is both dense and precise, fully expressing the character of Ambonnay. After eight years on the lees, the wine gains in body and complexity. This 2017 Vintage combines the richness of Pinot Noir with the freshness provided by Chardonnay and a lovely tension, preserved by the absence of malolactic fermentation. It will continue to evolve in the cellar over the next few years, with its peak expected between 2026 and 2032. Serve between 10 and 12 °C, without decanting.

The Nose

The nose opens with lovely aromas of red fruit, accompanied by woody and spicy notes from barrel aging. Upon aeration, hints of honey and forest floor emerge, accented by a slight roasted note that reflects the wine’s maturation.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is clean and vinous, with lovely density supported by a pronounced mineral edge. The absence of malolactic fermentation preserves the wine’s full freshness and liveliness, while the texture remains silky and enveloping. The finish is long and lingering, with delicate spicy and roasted notes.

Champagne Grand Cru: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation

The Champagne Grand Cru appellation encompasses the 17 villages ranked at the top of the Champagne cru hierarchy, including Ambonnay, on the Montagne de Reims. Their chalky and limestone soils provide particularly favorable conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. More than just a designation, the Grand Cru classification highlights the origin and characteristics of a terroir.

This 2017 Vintage Champagne Grand Cru from Egly-Ouriet is a fine example of this. The character of Ambonnay, combined with barrel aging and extended aging on the lees, results in a cuvée perfect for fine dining, one that deserves a place in a fine wine cellar. A great French wine, to be enjoyed both now and after a few years of aging.