Four wines were featured for this tasting starting with the Egly Ouriet Brut Rose Grand Cru NV – Attractive old rose color. Very vigorous and fine bubbles. The nose is expressive and quite bready. Medium-bodied and fleshy. Cherry and strawberry fruit. Finishes with some bitterness but exceptionally long as well. This is an excellent Rose that showcases the quality of the Pinot Noir.
Egly-Ouriet Brut Rose Grand Cru NV by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Up next was the Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Grand Cru NV – Beautiful white gold color. Again, very fine and lively bubbles. A full bodied, almost fat, Champagne. Green apples and apple skins texture. Most Champagnes are lemony but this one most certainly is not. It’s too ripe for that. A bit simple but a real easy wine to drink. Good, but not too interesting.
Egly-Ouriet Brut Tradition Gand Cru NV by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
The following wine is what I considered the highlight of the tasting. Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru Milessime 2002 – Again, the shining white gold color. The bubbles are more subdued here. Strong scent of toasted nuts and flavors of white chocolate and honey. Deep flavor, complex, rich and many-layered. This is a young wine that will likely continue to develop complexity with age although it already makes a fine drink now. Outstanding.
Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru Millesime 2002 by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Although Jojo had an appointment for dinner, he was prevailed upon to stay for one last bottle. Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru V.P. Vielissement Prolonge Extra Brut NV – By this time I had probably drunk the lion’s share of an entire bottle so my notes are rather clipped. Smoky, deep flavor, with a touch of bitterness on the finish. Although this is an Extra Brut, it tastes like the Brut of other houses. I guess the fleshy, big-boned style of the house compensates in a way for the low dosage.
Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru VP NV by jaylabrador.winesteward, on Flickr
Many thanks to Jojo for the opportunity to tra these amazing wines.