Egly-Ouriet : Ambonnay Rouge 2023

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Egly-Ouriet Ambonnay Rouge 2023

Tasting

Colour
The wine reveals a deep red hue with ruby highlights, enhanced by perfectly controlled clarity and brilliance.

Nose
Remarkably powerful, the aromatic bouquet opens with intense notes of black and red fruit (wild blackberry, cherry, raspberry). It then gains complexity with delicate floral touches of violet, sweet spices, cocoa and tobacco, all underpinned by a minerality reminiscent of damp chalk and undergrowth.

Palate
The attack is expressive and fruity, immediately revealing a lovely mineral tension. The mid-palate is appealing for its velvety texture, its breadth and its tannins, which are both firm and silky. The whole is perfectly balanced by a vibrant freshness, stretching into a remarkably long finish.

Food and wine pairings

This red wine pairs wonderfully with dishes full of character, such as veal sweetbread croquettes, deglazed andouillette or roasted poultry such as duck breast. It will also make an excellent match for medium-aged pressed cheeses (Comté, Saint-Nectaire).

Serving and cellaring

For optimal enjoyment, this wine is best served between 16 and 18°C. In its youth, decanting for one to several hours is highly recommended to release its full aromatic expression. This wine for laying down can be enjoyed from 2026 and will continue to develop favourably until around 2038, or even beyond 2043.

The elegance and depth of a great Coteaux Champenois by Egly-Ouriet

The estate

Founded in the first half of the 20th century, the family estate Egly-Ouriet truly took shape in the 1960s. Located in the heart of Champagne, this property of around 16.5 to 17 hectares is now run by Francis Egly, supported by his children Clémence and Charles. Recognised as a meticulous artisan, the estate stands out for its demanding viticultural practices, barrel vinifications and extended ageing. These bold choices give rise to terroir-driven cuvées of great precision, placing the house among the benchmarks of the region.

The vineyard

This Coteaux Champenois comes from the Grand Cru terroir of Ambonnay, on the Montagne de Reims. The vines, over sixty years old and derived from an old massal selection of Pinot Fin, thrive on south- to south-east-facing slopes. The clay-limestone soils, dominated by active chalk, encourage deep rooting. Farmed according to organic principles, the vineyard receives meticulous care to maintain very low yields, ensuring optimal concentration in the berries.

Vinification and ageing

The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand to allow for rigorous sorting. After partial destemming, retaining a proportion of stems for structure, alcoholic fermentation takes place in oak barrels. True to the estate's philosophy, malolactic fermentation is blocked in order to preserve maximum tension. The wine is then aged for around 22 months in new and once-used barrels. Finally, it is bottled by hand during the summer.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir