Champagne Ayala

Brut Majeur NV

Champagne, France

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Brut Majeur is the epitome of a non-vintage brut from a great, historic House and is the finest ambassador for the House’s freshness and elegance. It has the highest proportion of Chardonnay of all the traditional Champagne houses.

Brut Majeur is a blend of Chardonnay (55%), Pinot Noir (30%) and Pinot Meunier (15%). A blend of 70 crus, micro-vinification in 120 small stainless steel vats. 43% of reserve wines. Low dosage of 6 g/l.

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 its link to Bollinger, Ayala also has unique access to top quality grapes.

Winemaking

Brut Majeur is a blend of Chardonnay (55%), Pinot Noir (30%) and Pinot Meunier (15%). Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bring vinosity and delicacy together in a very harmoniously balanced blend. The complement of Pinot Meunier adds a charming touch of fruitiness and liveliness. Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. Brut Majeur is fermented in stainless steel, with a focus on freshness and precision. It spends 3 years on the lees and rests in the cellar for at least 3 months after disgorgement.

Tasting Note

Pale gold in color. Very aromatic on the nose with a well-balanced palate showing great finesse and complexity. Delicately fresh and fruity notes with green apple, honey, biscuit and an elegant texture.

Food Pairing

Perfect for an apéritif, Brut Majeur can also pair harmoniously with every course of a meal: white fish, shellfish, poultry or a cheese platter.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier, Pinot Noir

Appellation

Champagne, France

Farming

Ayala encourages their growers to use organic fertilizers and avoid insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.

Alcohol

12.0%

Suggested Retail Price

$70.00

Reviews

"Powerful yet lively, finishing with strong punch"

Vinous - August 10, 2018 “Light yellow. Lively, sharply focused lemon and green apple aromas pick up deeper melon and peach qualities with air. Spicy and precise on the palate, offering juicy citrus fruit and honeysuckle flavors and a touch of candied fig. Powerful yet lively, finishing with strong punch and building mineral and floral qualities. This suave Champagne has the heft to handle rich foods and the tension to work by itself.”

"Lemon balm, pear"

Jeb Dunnuck - November 8, 2022 "The NV Champagne Majeur Brut is inviting, with ripe aromas of lemon balm, pear, and fresh baked bread. The mousse fills the palate and cleans up with pithy orange, parmesan, and dusty chalk. I like this for its lightly savory touch and a bit more concentration." -A.F 11/22

"Bright vivid finish"

James Suckling - August 2, 2023 "Very clean and bright with transparency of sliced lemon, pear and chalk. Medium to full body with a very creamy texture and a bright, vivid finish. Comes off dry. Three years on the lees. 55% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 15% pinot meunier." -J.S 8/23

"Croissants, toasted hazelnuts"

- August 10, 2018 “Peaches, dried raspberries, croissants, toasted hazelnuts, lemon curd and some honey on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied and round with bright acidity and fine bubbles. Flavorful, with ripe and honeyed character. Relatively dry. Chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier.

"mouthwatering flavors"

Wine Spectator - August 10, 2018 “There’s a firm, chalky edge to this minerally Champagne, and mouthwatering flavors of candied lemon peel, green apple, crystallized honey and biscuit. This has an elegant texture and an overall sense of style.”

"Lively mousse"

Wine Spectator - September 13, 2023 “A firm, linear Champagne, with a fine, lively mousse and chiseled acidity defining flavors of ripe cherry, preserved lemon, white blossoms, chalk and ground ginger.”-A.N 8/23

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Trade Materials

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