Champagne Soliste 1e cru ’Les Gayères’ - Pinot Noir (19)

Pinot Noir | single vineyard | Pierry 1er Cru 'Les Gayères' | stokken aangeplant in 1974 | klei met diepe kalk | vergist op groot eikenhout | rijpt mimimaal 48 maanden sur latte | dosage 2 gr/l | intens | amandel | oranje fruit | rode appel | brood | levendig | zuren met pit | lengte | complex

BLEND: 100% Pinot Noir
HARVEST: 2019 (75CL) • 2017 (1,5L)
TERROIR: Pierry 1er Cru • Les Gayères planted in 1974.
SOIL: Silty clays loaded with flint and limestone.
SUBSOIL: Orange clays of the Ypresian with circulation of fresh underground water. Chalk deeper.
EXPOSITION: West. With a slope of 10 to 15%. Middle of the hill.
VINIFICATION: 100% oak barrels from 350 to 600 liters for 10 months. No fining or filtration.
AGING: Natural corks for 4 years for the bottles and 6 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

Disgorged this year with two grams per liter dosage, the 2018 Extra-Brut Soliste Pinot Noir Pierry 1er Cru Les Gayères reveals aromas of crisp stone fruit, grilled peaches, white flowers and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, vinous and suave, it's fine-boned and elegant, with a layered core of fruit, racy acids and a long, saline finish. Its finesse and controlled power in this vintage demonstrate the fruits of Sélèque's thoughtful farming. 95/100 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.