Egly Ouriet Blanc de Noirs VV Les Crayères, Egly-Ouriet Base Vintage 2015

The NV Extra-Brut Blanc de Noirs (base 2015) is a blend of fruit from old vines in the Crayères lieu-dit in Ambonnay. Red Pinot fruit is front and center. This is an especially open-knit release for the Blanc de Noirs. There’s a bit less structure than in most years, while the aromatics already show a bit of maturity. For those reasons, I would prefer to drink it sooner rather than later. This is very good, but maybe not quite a standout. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: September, 2022.

The 2022 disgorgement is 60% 2015 and 40% 2014, vinified and aged in barrels with a touch more new oak than all but the Millésime wines. It spends six years in bottle before disgorgement. The fruit comes from vines planted in 1946 and 1947, which Francis believes is a key element to this wines very long ageing potential. Very youthful on the nose, it offers tangerine, dried white strawberry, marmalade and sweet spices together with a hint of toasted brioche. The palate is muscular and rich, tightly wound but unfurling wonderfully with air. Precise and intense, it is a heady concoction of fruit, spice and fresh brioche. spicy and rich with a peacock's tail finish, it will benefit from a year or two in bottle before approaching and will have a long life ahead. This score will likely look conservative when this wine reaches its apex.