Egly-Ouriet Brut Les Premices Magnum1.5L Disg July 25, Champagne

Vintages: 2020 (50%), 2019 (30%), 2018 (20%)

Bottling: 2021

Disgorgement: July 2025

Time on lees: 48 months

Les Prémices comes from 3.5 hectares of vines in Trigny, northwest of Reims. If we use some great growers to geolocate, Trigny is situated just to the west of Saint-Thierry and Merfy (where Alexandre Chartogne is based) and east of Montigny-sur-Vesle (where Aurélien Suenen grows his excellent La Grande Vigne cuvée). The Egly vines span seven historic lieux-dits in the commune, and like the Domaine’s Vrigny vines, these plots come from Annick Egly’s side of the family. The return of Francis and Annick’s two children, Charles and Clémence, to the Domaine has enabled the family to start producing their own wines from these plots. This is now the seventh release of this wine (counting all disgorgements) over four years, so the Eglys have had time to learn about this terroir. As their experience—and the percentage of reserve wine—has grown, so has the quality of the wine.

Reflecting what is planted in the vineyards, Les Prémices is an equal blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. On average, the vines are 40 years old and rooted in clay and sandstone over a chalk bedrock—a soil typical of the Massif de Saint-Thierry area. As always, the classic Egly manifesto applies here—old vines, low yields, hand-harvesting of fully ripe fruit, no inoculation, long lees aging, no fining or filtration, low dosage and meticulous attention to detail. One difference here is that the wine fermented and aged exclusively in tank. The dosage for this release was less than 2 g/L.

Egly-Ouriet Brut Les Premices is a beautifully poised and expressive Champagne from one of the most respected grower estates in Ambonnay. While Egly-Ouriet is famous for intense, vinous wines from grand cru vineyards, Les Premices offers a more approachable and playful look into the house style while still maintaining its trademark detail and precision. The fruit comes entirely from the village of Trigny on the Montagne de Reims, planted across chalk and clay limestone soils that lend both brightness and textural finesse. The blend typically favours Pinot Noir backed by Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, fermented with native yeasts and aged extensively on lees far longer than the regional norm. The result is a Champagne that feels generous yet focused, youthful yet deeply satisfying.

The aromatics are elegant and layered. Fresh pear, lemon curd and orchard apple lead with a lift of stone fruit and white blossom. As it opens, notes of almond pastry, hazelnut, chalk and soft brioche emerge from the lengthy lees ageing. A subtle mineral line runs throughout the bouquet, reflecting the chalky terroir and Egly-Ouriet’s commitment to minimal intervention.

Silky bubbles deliver citrus and apple purity across a creamy, gently structured palate. Flavours of peach, grapefruit zest and nougat unfold beside a hint of spice and crushed rock minerality that tightens the finish beautifully. The acidity is bright and refreshing, giving the wine a long, clean close with a touch of savoury complexity that invites another sip. It is already glorious, but an extra year or two in bottle will add further depth and nutty refinement.

Perfect with oysters, sashimi, fried chicken, soft cheeses, mushroom dishes or as a luxurious aperitif. It captures the excitement of grower Champagne with polish, generosity and Egly-Ouriet’s unmistakable craftsmanship.