Champagne Solessence Extra Brut - Chardo, Meunier & P. Noir

50% Chardonnay, 40% Meunier & 10% Pinot Noir | fruit afkomstig uit 7 dorpen | deels hout gebruikt | 24 maanden sur lattes gerijpt | 1,5 gr/l dosage | fraîcheur | zuiver | bloemig | helder en fris | licht rood fruit | loepzuiver | fijne zuren | zachte mousse | extra brut stijl die smaakt naar een brut nature

BLEND: 50% Chardonnay • 40% Meunier • 10% Pinot Noir
HARVEST: 2022 (75CL)
TERROIRS: Pierry / Moussy / Epernay / Mardeuil / Dizy / Boursault / Vertus
SOIL: Mainly clay, sometimes loaded with flint and limestone.
SUBSOIL: Campanian chalk at different depths.
VINIFICATION: In stainless steel vats (60%) and oak barrels (40%) for 10 months. No fining or filtration.
RESERVE WINE: 50% perpetual reserve (aging in stainless steel tanks and oak barrels)
AGING: Crown caps for 2 years for the bottles
DOSAGE: Extra Brut – 1,5g/L

Jean-Marc Sélèque

Na het afronden van zijn opleiding is 2008, werkt Jean-Marc in de kelder van het familiebedrijf. De oude manier van werken heeft geen positieve werking gehad op het bodemleven, dus besluit hij in 2010 geheel biologisch te werken. De percelen liggen in zeven verschillende dorpjes op het “drie landen punt”, omringd door de regio’s Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims en Vallée de la Marne. De champagnes zijn voorzien van energie, verfijning, precisie en een super elegante mousse.

Review

Based on the 2020 vintage and disgorged in December 2022, the latest rendition of Sélèque's NV Extra Brut Solessence reveals aromas of white flowers, ripe citrus fruit, peach and almond paste. Medium-bodied, ample and pillowy, it's chalky and precise, with a bright spine of acidity and a pure, mineral finish. It's a terrific introduction to the domaine's range. 92/100 William Kelley

As I've written before, Jean-Marc Sélèque is one of Champagne's most exciting and dynamic young producers. Based in Pierry in the Coteaux Sud d’Epernay, Sélèque returned to the family domaine in 2008 and immediately stopped the use of herbicides; but he dates his realization that the raw materials for greatness are to be found in agronomy and not in the cellar to 2012. Farming is essentially organic, with some biodynamic practices, with the soils cultivated mechanically (in some instances, by horse) and canopies hedged higher than the average for additional shade and photosynthesis. Winter and intra-row cover crops mitigate erosion and preserve moisture in the soil. In the winery, much of the production is vinified in wood, without fining or filtration, and Sélèque favors native fermentations and doesn't encourage or discourage malolactic. As his viticultural progress bears dividends, these wines go from strength to strength, and I find myself more and more impressed with every passing release. Now, a large underground and overground extension to his winery means Sélèque has the space and materials to be able to push his projects even further. Pierry enjoyed considerable historical celebrity, and thanks to Sélèque, it seems more than likely to regain it. Everything here comes recommended, and I warmly encourage readers to acquaint themselves with these wines.