Egly Ouriet Ambonnay Rouge, Egly-Ouriet 2020

Egly take their red Coteaux Champenois seriously - this wine has more in common with red Burgundy that other examples from within Champagne. Very old vines of Pinot fin are used here, aged for 22 months in barrel before bottling. Francis believes the 2020 rounds off a great triolgy of vintages for their red, with this a wine of richness and concentration. That is certainly the case. Pure ruby colour in the glass, it has a powerful nose of incense, nutmeg and clove together with pure, ripe red fruit. The palate has the same exotic spice character, with the fruit if anything more intense than on the nose. Driving from the core with a fleshy ripeness, the balance between fruit, acid and spice is very well managed. Broad shouldered with chalky tannins, it should be left for at least 2-3 years in bottle before approaching. Treat this like a Premier Cru Cote de Nuits and you will be greatly rewarded. Deep, long and sinewy on the finish, it should drink well for well over a decade.