2006 Egly-Ouriet, Brut Millesime Grand Cru

Another standout, the 2006 Brut Millesime is stellar. This is an especially broad, creamy Champagne built on textural richness. Lemon oil, white flowers, smoke, almonds and baked apple are some of the signatures. Rich and resonant on the palate, the 2006 will drink beautifully for another decade or so, even if it could benefit from a little more time in bottle. Egly's 2006 is a pure pleasure to taste today. Disgorged November, 2015. Dosage is 2 grams per liter.

The 2006 Brut Millésime Grand Cru is a really rich and intense, yet also a pure and fresh cuvée based on 60/70% barrel-fermented Pinot Noir and 30/40% barrel-fermented Chardonnay. It is a full-bodied, concentrated and extremely well-structured cuvée with a grippy, long and persistent finish. The dosage is two grams per liter. There are lovely fresh berry flavors on the nose.

So deep a gold I thought it might have been a rosé at first. A tad cheesy and too old on the nose for me – almost fragile. Should appeal to those who like their champagne really old. (JR)