Champagne Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes Les Crayères NV base 14, disg Jul 2021

Les Crayères is Egly-Ouriet's blanc de noirs, a Champagne made entirely from old-vine Pinot Noir in a single grand cru parcel at Ambonnay.

Ambonnay lies on the south-facing side of the Montagne de Reims and is one of the grand cru villages where Pinot Noir ripens most reliably in Champagne. Les Crayères is a parcel of old vines within it, and the name refers to the chalk pits that give the local soil its character, with pure chalk lying close under a thin topsoil. Egly-Ouriet works with very low yields, picks late for full ripeness, ferments in barrel and holds its wines on lees for far longer than the region's minimum. The result is a blanc de noirs of unusual weight and depth for Champagne, driven by the fruit and the extended ageing rather than by dosage, which is kept low. Base year and disgorgement date are given in place of a vintage.

Ready now and will hold and broaden for another five to ten years. Serve at about 8°C with roast duck, mushroom tart or a plate of charcuterie.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.