Ratafia de Champagne is a liqueur aperitif made with the juice of freshly picked Champagne grapes fortified immediately after pressing (to prevent the onset of fermentation). This fortification comes via grape spirit distilled from Champagne grape skins. It’s a style of wine that belongs to the same family as Cognac’s Pineau des Charentes.
Having said that, as with anything bottled by this great grower, the Egly Ratafia is a million miles away from the average example of the genre. While most producers of Ratafia use their weakest grapes (or purchased grapes), Egly uses only perfectly ripe, 100% Grand Cru, estate-grown and sorted Pinot Noir fruit. Add to this the renowned work in the vineyard, and you start to get the picture. This is also from a single vintage—in this case, 2018. The fruit was sorted and gently pressed before the finest grape spirit or marc (distilled from Egly’s own fruit, of course) was added. It then spent four years mellowing in barrel.
As we have come to expect, this perfectionist grower refuses to aim for anything other than greatness, no matter what he is making. As a result, this is a stunningly pure and intense expression of Ratafia that can be drunk on its own, over ice or with soda. It also makes a wonderful version of kir and stays fresh in the fridge for months after opening. Bottled in 2023.