Champagne Ayala
Perle d’Ayala 2006
Champagne, France
A treasure in the portfolio, Perle d’Ayala is produced only in exceptional years, according to practices that have remained faithful to the Champagne tradition. Composed of a majority of Chardonnay, this wine captures the essence of the Champagne terroir, in the purest respect of the style of the House.
This beautifully refined prestige cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, all from Grand Cru villages.
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. Fruit for this prestige Champagne was selected from 100% Grand Crus villages, including Chouilly, Aÿ and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.
Winemaking
This beautifully refined prestige cuvée is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, all from Grand Cru villages. Everything from grape reception to vinification, aging, riddling and disgorgement is done at the Ayala cellars. The Cuvée Perle d’Ayala rests in the cellar for 9 years after disgorgement under cork (not crown), in order to allow for controlled oxidation and development of complex aromas and flavors. This is a very rare practice in Champagne today.
Vintage
A year with mixed, but lucky weather. A rainy spring followed by a very hot summer slowed ripeness, but important rainfall and a cool September ensured maturation of the fruit. Expert sorting of fruit from some of the region’s finest vineyards helped assure that the 2006 vintage would turn out especially concentrated and full of character.
Tasting Note
A striking pale gold in color. There is a nutty complexity that is balanced by a wonderful perfume of peach, lemon and lime aromas. As you continue to enjoy this wine, you get rich pastry notes on the palate and a fleshy, round finish that lingers.
Food Pairing
Thanks to its remarkable intensity and pedigree in terms of provenance, Perle d’Ayala 2006 is a great match for noble dishes, such as seared foie gras, chicken with a mushroom sauce or braised veal sweetbreads.
Color
White
Appellation
Champagne, France
Farming
Ayala encourages their growers to use organic fertilizers and avoid insecticides, herbicides and pesticides.
Alcohol
12.7%
Suggested Retail Price
$175.00
Reviews
"Toastiness, yeast and a taut texture"
Wine Enthusiast - February 11, 2020 “After 12 years aging on the lees, this wine is at its peak. Its maturity is now showing beautifully, bringing out toastiness, yeast and a taut texture. The wine's richness is now at its best and it is ready to drink."
James Suckling - January 15, 2019 “A Chardonnay dominant cuvee (80 percent) that has rested on the lees for more than eight years.\ It delivers attractive, nutty complexity with an array of peach, lemon and lime aromas. The palate has attractive, pastry-like flavors with lime curd and a fleshy, smooth finish.”
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Rosé Majeur
Rosé Majeur is the perfect embodiment of the originality and finesse of the House’s wines. Made predominantly from Chardonnay, it is crafted with the addition of a small proportion of Pinot Noir from the best crus of the Montagne de Reims. A low dosage enables it to express the House style, both feminine and generous, with great elegance. The very high proportion of Chardonnay and the aging process result in a Champagne with remarkable finesse. It ages on the lees for three years, which is more than twice that is required by the appellation.
Brut Nature
Champagne
Ayala’s Brut Nature is a zero-dosage Champagne that highlights the House’s remarkable vinification expertise. After nearly four years of cellar aging, the wine reveals an elegant complexity, with an extended autolysis that enhances the quality of the grapes sourced from Champagne’s best crus. The blend primarily features Chardonnay, with a touch of Pinot Noir and a small amount of Pinot Meunier, resulting in a balanced, pure expression. Its bright gold color with a silver hue gives way to a fine nose of citrus and subtle saline notes. On the palate, it is clean and complex, offering dry mineral flavors alongside vibrant grapefruit and white fruit, all while maintaining tension and freshness.
Collection N° 16
Champagne
Champagne Ayala’s Collection N°16 is the fourth opus from the "Collection AYALA," a series of unique cuvées created to express the specificity of a vintage and a selection of exceptional crus through the lens of this boutique Maison. Produced in limited quantities and released only upon indication that the elements in this wine are integrated and evolved to a point of perfect harmony.
Brut Majeur
Champagne
Ayala Brut Majeur perfectly embodies the Chardonnay-focused style of Ayala. This cuvée achieves balance and finesse through low dosage, stainless-steel vinification, and three years of aging on lees. Made from over 70 crus across Champagne’s key regions, including the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and Vallée de la Marne, each cru is fermented separately in 120 stainless-steel vats, preserving its unique characteristics. The result is a Champagne of exceptional complexity, capturing the richness and diversity of the region’s terroirs.
Collection AYALA
Champagne
Champagne Ayala’s N° 7 is the second opus from the “Collection AYALA”, a series of unique cuvées created to express the specificity of a vintage and a selection of exceptional crus through the lens of this boutique Maison. It is produced in limited quantities and released only upon indication that the elements in this wine are integrated and evolved to a point of perfect harmony.
Le Blanc de Blancs
Champagne, France
Ayala’s Blanc de Blancs is 100% Chardonnay, produced in small quantities in exceptional years only and fully expresses the superb caliber of great Chardonnay from the best crus of the Côte des Blancs. After 6 years of aging in Ayala’s cellars, remarkable minerality and low dosage make this an outstanding wine that can accompany a variety of flavorful dishes, including poultry and fish, or be served on its own to celebrate a special occasion.
