SommSelect subscribers are by now well-acquainted with grower Champagne legend Egly-Ouriet. This impeccable house is the vinous equivalent of a blue-chip stock. It is also a rather small organic farm, which makes it that much more appealing: At this point Egly is regarded as one of Champagne’s ‘grandes marques,’ and not just among its smaller-scale 'récoltant-manipulant' brethren.
We recently secured a small parcel of their sumptuous 2006 Millésime Grand Cru Brut, and we’re thrilled to share it with you. This is about as good as Champagne gets, but our allocation sadly gets smaller and smaller each year as the demand for these wines skyrockets.

In the glass, the golden core moves to darker green and golden reflections on the rim while incredibly small bubbles battle their way through the viscous liquid, which immediately indicates this Champagne’s immense concentration upon sight. The highly complex nose reveals über-concentrated aromas of white mushroom, truffle, preserved yellow apple, preserved yellow plums, dried red currant, dried red cherry and a hint of dried peach laced with notes of honey, rising brioche, white flowers, almonds, and cream. To smell this wine is a joy in and of itself—it evolves every minute it’s in the glass. Highly viscous, with luscious weight on the palate, this full-bodied Champagne flaunts its Grand Cru personality and delivers precisely what one expects from one of the world’s greatest growers at a decade of age (and then some!). This is a Champagne to share with the greatest of friends alongside a memorable main course. It will dazzle alongside chicken or rabbit, but we highly recommend this inspired recipe for Veal Prince Orloff for an evening at home you will never forget.