Egly Ouriet Brut Les Premices NV (750ML)

92 DE / 91 WI / 90 WA / 16.5 JR

The most accessible and open-knit of Egly-Ouriet's cuvées, Les Prémices carries an appetising brown bread, honey and spice complexity behind the fragrant, rounded orchard fruit and juicy black plum. A fine introduction to this part of Champagne. One third each of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay from the village of Trigny in the Petite Montagne. - Tom Hewson, Decanter

Simple and easy to approach, Les Prémices NV presents attractive notes of white peach, apricot and honey. The light-bodied palate offers subtle notes orchard fruit and white flower supported by a soft acid line. Equal parts Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, this cuvée is based on the 2019 vintage, with reserve wine from the previous two years. Stainless fermented and aged three years on lees, it is finished with a one gram per liter dosage. This cuvée was created in 2016 as a family project to celebrate a new generation of winemaking at the domain. Disgorged July 2023. - Sarah Mayo, Wine Independent

Based on the 2018 vintage and disgorged with only one gram per liter dosage, Egly's NV Brut Les Prémices delivers aromas of sweet orchard fruit, peach, baking spices and fresh bread. Medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny, it's a charming, enveloping wine with a sweet core of fruit and a bright, saline finish. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate

One-third each Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. From a 3.25-ha vineyard in Trigny, in the Massif de St-Thierry. 40-year-old vines worked organically with regular ploughing. Bottled in 2019 without fining or filtration. 50% 2018, 30% 2017, 20% 2016. Three years sur lattes. Dosage 2 g/l.
Tastes like irises pressed into hot old-stone walls and moss and spicy slices of sweet white peaches. The wine has a plump warmth, ripe Cape gooseberries, but also a stoniness that reminds me of crumbling lime. Creamy and languid and 'purple' tasting on the finish, its acid backbone well-hidden in flesh. (TC) - Jancis Robinson