Egly-Ouriet Extra Brut Champagne Les Prémices NV

94 points Decanter: "Toasty and yeasty aromas dominate on the first nose, with swirling smoky intrigue. It’s full and rich on the tongue, with grilled brioche and creamy intensity paired with bruised apple skin and mashed apple flesh. Custard and viennoiserie characters give weight and body, while the finish perks up with bitter nut skin and greengage freshness. This is a Brut NV to stock up on, as the complexity is impressive for the price. An all-round winner. Drinking Window: 2022-2030. (Mar 2022)"

92-93 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2023 in France and Australia; one-third each of meunier, pinot noir and chardonnay; wild fermented in stainless-steel tanks; unfiltered; aged 3 years on lees; 2019 base vintage disgorged July 2023, 1g/L dosage; 2018 base vintage disgorged July 2022, 2g/L dosage). Francis Egly describes 2019 as a 'very good base' and this is an impressive result for Trigny. It boasts a medium to full copper blush hue and a contrast between stone fruits and citrus zest, with subtle strawberry and red apple fruit. Good body juxtaposes zest and tension, capturing the fruity and primary mood of the harvest, concluding with lovely layers of spicy complexity. The generosity of the 2018 season in the sumptuous style of Egly makes for a creamy and decadent cuvée layered with brioche and vanilla, with a core of strawberry, lemon zest and peach, laced with spice. Lovely balance of acid drive energises a long and appealing finish. (Edition VII; 2024)"

92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The NV (2018) Les Prémices is soft and open-knit, which makes it a fine choice for drinking now and over the next decade. Orchard fruit, mint and yellow flowers open effortlessly in the glass. Vinification and aging in steel keeps the flavors brisk. Les Prémices, one of the recent additions in this range, is equal parts Pinot Noir, Meunier and Chardonnay. Drinking Window: 2023-2030. (May 2023)"