EGLY-OURIET 'Les Vignes de Bisseuil' 1er Cru Extra Brut NV Bottle

Description

Egly Ouriet Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru Brut NV is a refined, characterful Champagne from Bisseuil, pale straw with fine bead, offering pear, green apple, lemon zest and white blossom, then toasted brioche, roasted almond and honeysuckle from lees. Medium bodied with taut, nervy acidity and a chalky mineral seam, the palate shows pastry crust, toasted hazelnut and light marzipan, supported by a silky mousse and precise autolysis. Fresh citrus and saline drive carry flavours to a long finish of bitter lemon and mineral echo. Ideal with oysters, seared scallops or lobster; approachable now yet will gain with short cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2034. Critics: James Suckling 94 "Fresh flowers"; Vinous 94 "Dimension"; Decanter 93 "Energetic chalky squeeze". Enjoy.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Egly Ouriet Les Vignes de Bisseuil 1er Cru Brut NV is a refined and characterful Champagne that captures the house focus on intensity, purity and site expression. The colour is pale straw with fine persistent bead and a bright, luminous core. The nose opens with crisp orchard fruit of pear and green apple, followed by lemon zest and white blossom. With gentle aeration the bouquet deepens to reveal toasted brioche, roasted almond and a faint honeyed note from extended lees ageing, plus an attractive floral lift of acacia and honeysuckle.

On the palate the wine is medium in weight with a taut, nervy acidity and a chalky mineral seam that gives drive and precision. Primary fruit is fresh and focused while autolytic characters of pastry crust, toasted hazelnut and a light marzipan sweetness add complexity without softening the structure. The mousse is fine and creamy, supporting a silky mid palate and carrying the flavours to a long, saline finish that finishes with a hint of bitter lemon and a mineral echo.

Made with meticulous attention to vineyard selection and whole bunch pressing where appropriate, Les Vignes de Bisseuil demonstrates Egly Ouriet’s insistence on ripeness and phenolic integrity alongside traditional élevage. The balance of fruit ripeness, acidity and lees derived texture makes this an extremely food friendly Champagne.

Serve well chilled as an aperitif or pair with oysters, fine shellfish, seared scallops, smoked salmon blinis, or richer hors d oeuvres such as lobster with butter sauce. It also partners beautifully with creamy chicken or fish dishes and aged soft cheeses where the wine’s acidity will cut richness. Approachable now, the wine will also gain further nuance with short term cellaring. Drink 2026 to 2034.

*****

JAMES SUCKLING 94 points
Fresh flowers flow out of the glass with honeysuckle and jasmine as well as strawberries and spices. Medium- to full-bodied with lots of fruit and a long, long finish. So many lemons and green apples. 70% chardonnay, 15% pinot noir and 15% pinot meunier. Three years on the lees. Dosage 3 g/L. Drink now.
James Suckling, Senior Editor

VINOUS 94 points
Drinking window: 2025 - 2034
The NV (2019) Les Vignes de Bisseuil is superb. Baked apple tart, white flower, tangerine oil, slate and sage all race across the palate. Deceptive at first in its light-bodied, airy feel, the 2019 opens beautifully in the glass, revealing myriad shades of nuance and tons of finesse to match. I love this for its dimension, breadth and complexity. Dosage is 1 gram per liter. Disgorged: July 2024.
Antonio Galloni, March 2024