Champagne Ayala - Brut NatureNV
WHITE SPARKLING
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Producer
Champagne Ayala
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Blend
45% Pinot Noir
35% Chardonnay
20% Pinot Meunier
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Country
France
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Region
Champagne
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UPC
0 15643 41223 3
Reviews
Vinous Media 92
(40% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier; zero dosage; disgorged in February, 2013): Pale gold. Nervy lime, ginger and floral scents, with suggestions of iodine and tarragon. Tightly wound, mineral-driven citrus fruit flavors put on weight with air and take a turn to deeper nectarine and pear. Unfolds slowly on the finish, hanging on with excellent tenacity and resonating mineral and floral notes.
by JR, Vinous Media , 2015
Wine Enthusiast 91
Ayala has made something of a specialty of very dry Champagne, and this delicate and deliciously food-friendly wine shows why. It is so well balanced, the bone dry citrus flavors integrated into the nervy texture.
by RV, Wine Enthusiast , 2011
Wine Spectator 90
A toasty Champagne, with a woolly texture, firm acidity and flavors of biscuit, smoke, straw and citrus zest. There's a minerally vein throughout and good balance overall. Drink now through 2015.
by AN, Wine Spectator , 2010
Technical Details
Estate
Founded in 1860 by Edmond de Ayala, Ayala is one of the most historic houses in Champagne. It was one of the 18 founding members of the "Grandes Marques de Champagne" syndicate in 1992 and went through a golden age in the 1920s and 1930s, when it was one of the largest 10 houses in Champagne. Known more recently as "the sleeping beauty of Champagne", it began its reascent to fame when it was purchased by the Bollinger group in 2005.
Based in the village of Ay, Ayala is known for it's delicate, but pleasurable style, large chardonnay component and low levels of dosage. The "sleeping beauty" reference is to its jewel-like Art Deco cellars from 1912, consisting of 1.6 miles of chalk tunnels extenting 75 feet underground, which provide perfect temperature and humidity. The wines are crafted by Carilune Latrive, one of only 2 female cellar masters in Champagne.
Vineyard
Ayala currently owns 35 acres in Champagne. Thanks to its privileged location in the heart of the Grand Crus of Montagne de Reims and their link to Bollinger, they also have unique access to top quality grapes.
Vinification
Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. The Brut Nature is aged for more than 3.5 years and rests in the cellars for at least 3 months after disgorgement.
Blend
Ayala Brut Nature is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Meunier. The quality of Ayala is the result of a very careful selection of the grapes.