The Champagnes of Jacques Selosse

Roberson Wine, South Ken, London
Tasted Thursday, March 21, 2013 by Papies with 647 views

Introduction

Mark Andrew of the Roberson team presented a full flight of the Selosse wines along with a great introduction into the man himshelf and his style of wine making.

We have to say (barring the Rose) we were truly amazed by the champagnes or we should say wines of Selosse. Worthy on the reputation although the prices of most compete with behemoths of champagne like Krug 88 & 90 and to be honest its difficult to justify it. Granted a whole different style of wines and very unique.

The Selosse signature for us is Spice, Ripeness and a richness like no other. Once would struggle to pick these as almost zero dosage wines (barring the VO). Very vinous champagnes, closer to burgundy wines . Finally what we could only describe as a light popping candy attack when the wine hits the palate. Like a nucleation reaction.

A great tasting!

Flight 1 - The Entry Range (3 Notes)

Blends from 3 concsecutive vintages and assembled from vines in 3 of the 4 villages on the slopes of the cotes des blancs - cramant, Avize and Oger. Initial 2700 cases, Exquise 100 cases and V.O 300 cases.

  • NV Jacques Selosse Initial 95 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Disgorged 13May11. 100% Chardonnay, <5g/l dosage 12% Alc.
    Light in colour, pale straw. Toasty nose probably as toasty as Selosse champagnes get. Ripe apple light spice on the nose too. A lot of activity on the palate , a touch of a faint popping candy feel if we try to place this. Full of life, rich, round and intense. Very long finish. Very vinous champagne . Superb and of great value. Only criticism we would add especially vs the rest of the Selosse champagnes is that it lost its energy after 30mins while the rest sort of continued to evolve non stop. Still a very good 94-95

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  • NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Exquise Sec 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Disgorged 20Jan2012. 100% Chardonnay, 12% Alc, ~24 g/l dosage.
    Light, pale straw colour. Light nose, however the palate it is full on. The dosage here makes an impact too and the wine is riper, lush, fat champagne with a sweetish/ripe fruit core. Spicy notes. Round champagne but also less tidy. Lacks the definition and complexity of the lower dosage Selosse wines. Maybe time can help. 91-92 at the moment for us

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  • NV Jacques Selosse V.O. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 92 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Disgorged 20Apr2012. 100% Chardonnay, 12% Alc, <5g/l dosage.
    Light in colour, pale straw. Light toasty on the nose . On the palate though this is sharp, powerful hits you like a whip (add the sound effects here pls). The sharpest and focussed of Selosse wines. Lovely salinity, minerality. Less of a rounder style of champagne and more of the gout Anglais ie aperitif style. High Acidity Feels like its not yet integrated and could use some more time in bottle. Different style to the usual fatty, spicy signature of Selosse. 92-93

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Flight 2 - The Specials (2 Notes)

Substance is from 2 parcels in Avize and is made in 275 cases a year. Rose is 500 cases a year and the still Pinot Noil is sourced from Francis Egly in Ambonnay and blended with 2 vintages of chardonnay from Avize.

  • NV Jacques Selosse Substance 95 Points

    France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

    Disgorged 21Oct2010. 100% Chardonnay, 12.5% Alc, <5g/l dosage. Solera since 1987
    Decent colour, glossy honey. Rich on the nose, spice, cinnamon & floral notes intermix with ripe apple. Selosse palate too, that fine mousse that engulfs with light popping candy feel. Powerful and oxidative on the finish and reminded us of a Tondonia Blanco GR finish. Very elegant and with a gigantic finish. 94-95

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  • NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Brut Rosé 91 Points

    France, Champagne

    Disgorged 20Sep2011. 90% Chardonnay / 10% Pinot still wine added
    Light nose, surprisingly austere. Probably the most austere, mineral rose champagne we have come across, acidic, very dry and sharp. This will last for many years to come, although not sure how it evolves from here. Not our style and not sure it justifies the ~£170 price tag though. 90-91 from us

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Flight 3 - The Lieux Dits (4 Notes)

From 2010 we see the dream come true, Single vineyard, solera wines from his favorite terroirs. We tased 4 of the 6 , missing below are the Chemin de Chalons and Le Chantereines.

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