Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Les Crayères VV NV

The pinnacle of grower Champagne excellence — and one of the most critically acclaimed Champagne expressions available in Australia. The Egly-Ouriet Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs Les Crayères VV NV represents the absolute pinnacle of artisanal Champagne craftsmanship — pure old-vine Pinot Noir from one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic single-vineyard sites, expressing the extraordinary depth, concentration and saline mineral complexity that only the greatest Champagne terroir can deliver.

Les Crayères — "the chalk pits" in French, referring to the extraordinary chalky soils of this legendary Ambonnay Grand Cru vineyard. VV — Vieilles Vignes, old vines averaging 40+ years, producing grapes of extraordinary concentration and complexity. From Francis Egly — widely regarded as one of Champagne's greatest grower-producers. 99 points Jeb Dunnuck, 98+ The Wine Advocate — extraordinary value at $910 (on sale from $950).

99 Points – Jeb Dunnuck | 98+ Points – The Wine Advocate

Les Crayères, Ambonnay, Grand Cru, Champagne, France

$910 a bottle (on sale from $950)
Blanc de Noirs • Les Crayères VV • Grand Cru • Egly-Ouriet • Ambonnay

"Les Crayères — the chalk pits of Ambonnay. Francis Egly's old-vine Blanc de Noirs from one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic single-vineyard sites. 99 points Jeb Dunnuck, 98+ The Wine Advocate."

About Les Crayères

Les Crayères is one of the most celebrated and historic vineyard sites in Ambonnay — "the chalk pits" in French, referring to the extraordinary chalky soils that give this wine its signature saline mineral character. The vineyard is planted with old vines averaging 40+ years — producing grapes of extraordinary concentration, complexity and depth that are quite unlike anything from younger vines. As a Blanc de Noirs, this wine is made exclusively from Pinot Noir — no Chardonnay — expressing the pure, undiluted character of old-vine Ambonnay Grand Cru Pinot Noir in its most sublime form.

About Egly-Ouriet

Egly-Ouriet is one of Champagne's most revered and celebrated grower-producers — Francis Egly farms Grand Cru vineyards in Ambonnay with extraordinary care and precision, producing wines of extraordinary depth, complexity and aging potential through minimal intervention winemaking and extended lees aging. The Les Crayères VV is Francis Egly's most celebrated and revered expression — the wine that has established Egly-Ouriet as one of Champagne's greatest artisans, sought after by collectors and connoisseurs worldwide.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:
Deep golden with fine, persistent bubbles creating an elegant and refined mousse — luminous, commanding and deeply inviting.

Aroma:
Intensely complex and hauntingly beautiful with:

• ripe red berries, cherry and plum — the hallmark of great old-vine Ambonnay Pinot Noir
• brioche, honey and toasted nuts — from extended lees aging
• distinctive saline mineral undertones from the chalky Les Crayères soils
• smokiness and spice — the complexity of old vines and great terroir

Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs of world-class aromatic complexity — the red fruit intensity and saline mineral precision of Les Crayères' old-vine Pinot Noir beautifully integrated with the brioche richness and toasted complexity of extended lees aging.

Palate:
Full-bodied and powerful with remarkable concentration and depth.
Expect layers of:

• strawberry, raspberry and black cherry — rich and concentrated
• vanilla, spice and toasted nuts
• distinctive smokiness and gingerbread
• signature saline minerality from Les Crayères' Grand Cru chalk
• exceptional structure delivering extraordinary tension, balance and length

The wine delivers old-vine Pinot Noir richness with Grand Cru mineral precision, combining Francis Egly's celebrated minimal-intervention winemaking with Les Crayères' extraordinary old-vine terroir and the extended lees aging that defines great Egly-Ouriet Champagne.

Finish:
Exceptionally long and memorable with lingering red fruit, toasted nuts, saline minerality and the distinctive smokiness that speaks to its Grand Cru origins and old-vine concentration.

Critical Acclaim

99pts – Jeb Dunnuck

98+ pts – The Wine Advocate

Wine Details

• Style: Non-Vintage Blanc de Noirs
• Variety: 100% Pinot Noir (Vieilles Vignes)
• Vineyard: Les Crayères, Ambonnay Grand Cru
• Vine Age: 40+ years (Vieilles Vignes)
• Region: Ambonnay, Grand Cru, Champagne, France
• Producer: Egly-Ouriet
• Winemaker: Francis Egly
• Style: Minimal intervention, extended lees aging
• Serving Temperature: 10–12°C
• Cellaring: Drink now – 2040+ (will develop extraordinary complexity with age)

Food Pairings

• Roast game — pheasant, partridge or duck
• Aged and washed-rind cheeses
• Black truffle dishes
• Foie gras
• Lobster and rich seafood
• As a contemplative wine on its own

Why We Love It

This is the pinnacle of grower Champagne excellence — Francis Egly's old-vine Blanc de Noirs from Les Crayères, one of Champagne's most celebrated and historic single-vineyard sites. 99 points Jeb Dunnuck, 98+ The Wine Advocate.
At $910 (on sale from $950), it delivers the most critically acclaimed Champagne expression available in Australia — pure old-vine Pinot Noir from one of Champagne's greatest artisans.

An essential acquisition for serious collectors and connoisseurs. There is nothing else like it.