EGLY-OURIET CHAMPAGNE BLANC DE NOIRS GRAND CRU 'LES CRAYERES' NV

Egly-Ouriet's flagship single-vineyard Blanc de Noirs draws exclusively from Les Crayères, a south-facing Grand Cru lieu-dit in Ambonnay where Pinot Noir planted in 1946 pushes roots through just 30 centimeters of topsoil into solid chalk. Organically farmed, the equal-parts 2017/2016 blend is fermented with indigenous yeasts in barrel (10% new), without malolactic fermentation, and aged 72 months on the lees before disgorgement at 1g/L, unfined and unfiltered. Mirabelle plum, baked pear, orange zest, toasted nuts, and honeycomb on the nose; full-bodied, concentrated, and saline on the palate with a long, chalky finish. 98pts Wine Advocate.