Description: 2014 Magnum Grand Cru Champagne | Egly-Ouriet
Egly-Ouriet’s 2014 Magnum Champagne Grand Cru is one of the estate’s signature cuvées. Based in Ambonnay, a Grand Cru village in the Montagne de Reims, Egly-Ouriet is renowned for its winemaker’s champagnes, crafted with great attention to terroir and aging. This 2014 vintage aged for more than six years on racks before disgorgement. It is a champagne that takes time to develop and reflects the estate’s craftsmanship.
The 2014 vintage stands out for its freshness, its pronounced acidity, and its lovely tension. The Magnum bottle (150 cl) promotes the wine’s slow evolution, allowing it to gain complexity over the years.
Terroir and Grape Varieties
Egly-Ouriet’s vineyards are planted on clay-limestone soils rich in chalk, typical of the grands crus of the Montagne de Reims. Chalk promotes drainage and helps regulate water reserves. It also contributes to the wine’s freshness and minerality. The blend consists of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay. The Pinot Noir from Ambonnay brings structure, body, and aromas of ripe black fruits. The Chardonnay rounds out the blend, adding finesse and freshness. The Extra Brut dosage , at 1 g/L, remains very low to preserve the wine’s character.
Viticulture and Winemaking
The estate cultivates its vineyards according to the principles of organic viticulture—though without official certification—using practices closely aligned with biodynamics. Inputs are limited, and special attention is paid to the soils and natural cycles. Fermentation takes place using indigenous yeasts. Approximately 20% of the winemaking takes place in oak barrels, with the remainder in stainless steel tanks. The wine is then aged for 12 months in barrels, 20% of which are new oak, before continuing its aging on racks for at least 4 years for this vintage. The estate also limits the use of sulfur and employs temperature control in the cellar to support the aging process.
Magnum Champagne Grand Cru 2014 | Egly-Ouriet: The Sommelier’s Review
Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin
Egly-Ouriet stands out for the consistency of its work, from the vineyard to winemaking. This 2014 Grand Cru Magnum is intended for lovers of Champagne with character, to be savored with the same care as a great white Burgundy. The Magnum format promotes a slower, more gradual evolution of the wine, allowing it to gain complexity over time. Serve it at around 10°C, immediately after opening and without decanting, to fully enjoy its fine bubbles and freshness.
The Nose
The nose reveals beautiful complexity, blending notes of ripe yellow fruit, roasted apple, and candied quince, along with citrus zest and buttery brioche. Upon aeration, toasty and slightly woody notes emerge, while a subtle chalky minerality in the background balances the richness of the bouquet.
On the palate
On the palate, the champagne offers lovely fullness, with a generous body and a delicate, lace-like effervescence. The freshness and mineral tension provide a lovely balance, while flavors of brioche, dried fruit, hazelnut, and roasted peach mingle with delicate notes of candied citrus. The long, lingering finish is marked by a slight bitterness, which adds depth and complexity to the tasting experience. A champagne with character, as generous as it is elegant, with excellent aging potential.
Champagne Grand Cru: Everything You Need to Know About This Appellation
The Champagne region has 17 villages classified as Grand Cru, which occupy the top of the cru hierarchy. This historic classification is based in particular on the reputation of their terroirs, often characterized by chalky soils and conditions favorable to viticulture. Ambonnay is one of these villages and is particularly known for its Pinot Noirs, which produce structured and generous wines, as well as for its fresh and crisp Chardonnays.
Egly-Ouriet’s 2014 Grand Cru truly reflects the character of this terroir and the estate’s style. It is a Champagne that requires a little time to reveal all its qualities. True to Francis Egly’s philosophy, it prioritizes precision and the expression of the terroir over immediate appeal. It will appeal to lovers of characterful champagnes capable of evolving over time.
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