Made from 100% Chardonnay Premier Cru, mainly from Grauves in the Côte des Blancs, base wine 2015, seven months on the fine lees before tirage, full malo, disgorged November 2017, dosage 3 gr/l, 8000 bottles produced. A very lively wine, youthful and forward, with green apple, yeasty and citrus notes, carried by delightfully refreshing minerality. Clean lines, good length. The juicy fruit is ripe enough to give the wine a roundness which makes it very suitable as an aperitif, even if the dosage is relatively low.

Disgorged 29 October 2018, from the 2012 and 2013 vintages, 90% Avize Chardonnay and 10% Ambonnay Pinot Noir, 6000 bottles produced. I have relatively little experience with the wines from Jacques Selosse, and that may be because (or why) I sometimes have difficulty understanding the wines. Not so here - maybe because it is expressive and displays real individuality, but perhaps not as oxidative as wines released in previous years reportedly have been? Pale to medium salmon colour, with a hint of copper; the nose is expressive, with bitter orange fruit, and honeyed, vinous and woody notes, with green apple, cocoa and a whiff of fresh nuts in the background; the structured palate displays ample weight of (delicately candied) fruit and excellent density, it is tightly woven and harmonious, with concentrated flavours; very good density and length on the finish. Will probably develop very well over the next 5-10 years.

Relatively pale colour, mature appearance; intoxicating aroma, immediately revealing the hand of the maker, deep and mature, lifted and complex; the attack and mid-palate are emblematic for the Reynaud interpretation of the Grenache grape, sweet (15% ABV) yet elegant, but on the back palate and the very long finish, the 20% Syrah in the blend provides more structure, and flavours of black pepper, spice, and even some coffee. Hint of back-end heat. Marvellous wine but needs more time to fully come together structurally and melt the tannins into a decadent whole.