Champagne Ayala - Brut Majeur

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Founded in Aÿ in 1860, this house was acquired by its neighbor Bollinger in 2005. This powerful alliance provides it with premium grapes—particularly Pinot Noir—from approximately 100 hectares, with over 90% of the vineyards classified on the cru scale. The house’s core values—excellence, purity, and integrity—have been reaffirmed. These are champagnes for connoisseurs, focused on low dosage, with the disgorgement date clearly marked on each bottle. This confirms the house’s brilliant form, as it certainly ranks among the greats of Champagne, yet with prices that remain very accessible, particularly for the excellent Brut-Majeur.

Decanter

About the wine:

Ayala’s recent efforts to increase the Chardonnay content and enhance the freshness of its entry-level cuvée have paid off: it is now a very solid buy. Sun-kissed yellow stone fruits and succulent clementine evoke a zesty, brilliant Chardonnay, perfectly complemented by a soft, fluid mousse, subtly underpinned by a touch of Pinot Noir structure and notes of light, crisp bread. An excellent discovery for lovers of delicacy and finesse, this wine follows in the tradition of the house’s great non-vintage wines.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The house’s non-vintage signature brut is aged for 3 years in the cellar. Its blend has been slightly modified to further increase the proportion of Chardonnay, which makes up 55% of the blend, complemented by Pinot Noir (30%) and Meunier. It is a blend of 70 crus. Its dosage is on the borderline of extra-brut. Blending four vintages (2019 through 2016), this version captivates with its subtle yet rich nose, featuring notes of pastry, vanilla, and white fruits, followed by a fresh, powerful, and persistent palate that leads to a finish with a hint of herbaceousness.

About the estate:

Based in Aÿ, the Ayala house was founded in 1860 following the marriage of Raphaël-Edmond-Louis Gonzague de Ayala, the son of a Colombian diplomat, and Berthe-Gabrielle d'Albrecht, the niece of the Viscount de Mareuil. Owned by Champagne Bollinger since 2005, its cellar master is Caroline Latrive.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

On the nose, it remains subtle, though with notes of lemon zest, honeysuckle, pear, and rose. On the palate, the wine entices us with a refreshing attack that keeps us engaged thanks to its chalky character. Its slightly buttery texture and its finish, which showcases the sweetness of nectarine, add complexity. A seductive and pleasing balance that will make your finest aperitifs shine.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

The NV Brut Majeur offers a fresh, minty bouquet of lemon oil, pear, white peach, and herbs. Moderately full-bodied, fresh, and crisp, it is incisive with lively acidity and a long, ethereal finish. This blend of 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir, and 15% Pinot Meunier is a lively and harmonious champagne.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the estate:

This venerable Aÿ-based brand, founded in 1860, has been owned by its neighbor Bollinger since February 2005. The brand, led by Hadrien Mouflard and his team—including head winemaker Caroline Latrive—is rebranding itself around a fresher style of champagne, available in both a low dosage (6 grams per liter) and a non-dosage version, with malolactic fermentation helping to round out the edges. Ayala has now clearly found its own style, which is very different from the more vinous, Pinot Noir-dominated style of its parent company.

Wine Enthusiast

James Suckling

About the wine:

An intense and elegant nose of strawberries, lemon zest, and fruit pulp, with a subtle, brioche-like character. Fine bubbles with a long, crisp acidity and plenty of substance on the mid-palate. The body is medium to full, but the finish is refreshing and polished. Ready to drink now, but will be at its best in 5–6 months, once it has developed more complexity.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Champagne Brut Majeur NV showcases the beautiful fruity and floral profile of the 2020 vintage, with aromas of fresh peach, almond flour, white flowers, and linen. Medium-bodied, it is refreshing and pure, with a lively effervescence and a clean, mineral finish. It is elegant and delicately rounded throughout the tasting, with an elegant freshness. Best enjoyed between 2025 and 2035.