Champagne Quintette 5 terroirs Extra Brut - Chardonnay

Chardonnay | 5 terroirs | flinty klei met kalk | vergist op groot hout | rijpt mimimaal 36 maanden sur latte | extra brut 2 gr/l dosage | 20% reservewijn gebruikt uit een solera gestart in 2012 | Bourgogne met mousse | rijkere blanc de blancs | zuren heerlijk in balans | olie-achtig | iets rokerig | energie | luchtig

BLEND: 100% Chardonnay
HARVEST: 2021 (75CL) • 2019 (1.5L)
TERROIRS: Vertus 1er Cru • La Justice planted in 1950 / Epernay • Les Frileux planted in 1958 and 1969 / Pierry 1er Cru • Cantuel and Les Chevernets planted in 1986 and 1981 / Mardeuil • Les Basses Ronces planted in 1982 / Dizy 1er Cru • Moque-bottle and Crohaut planted in 1985 and 1987
SOIL: Mainly clayey silt loaded with limestone.
SUBSOIL: Shallow Campanian chalk
VINIFICATION: 100% oak barrels from 350 to 600 liters. No fining or filtration.
RESERVE WINE: 20% solera in wood casks since 2012.
AGING: Crown caps for 3 years for the bottles • Natural corks for 4 years for the magnums
DOSAGE: Extra Brut – 2g/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

The latest rendition of Sélèque's NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Quintette is based on the 2019 vintage, complemented by 20% foudre-aged reserve wines drawn from a solera. Offering up aromas of hazelnuts, flowers, crisp pear and almonds, it's medium to full-bodied, with an ample, fleshy core of fruit and a layered, pillowy profile. Three or four grams of naturally residual sugar obviate the need for dosage. 94/100 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.