Champagne Soliste 1e cru ’Tartières/Porgeon’ - Chardon. (18)

Chardonnay | 2 wijngaarden die naast elkaar liggen | Pierry 1e Cru 'Les Tartières' en 'Les Porgeons' | stokken geplant in 1990 en 1985 | klei met diepe kalk | vergist op groot hout | rijpt mimimaal 48 maanden sur latte | dosage 2 gr/l | top balans tussen rijkdom en zuren | heel compleet | citrus | gesuikerd fruit | witte bloemen | iets zilt | heerlijke energie 

BLEND: 100% Chardonnay
HARVEST: 2019 (75CL) • 2017 (1.5L)
TERROIR: Pierry 1er Cru • Les Tartières/Les Porgeons planted in 1990 and 1985.
SOIL: Loamy and very loving clays.
SUBSOIL: The Chalk is explored by the roots from 70cm.
EXPOSITION: Southeast. With a 10 to 15% slope. Middle of the hill.
VINIFICATION: 100% oak barrels from 320 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

The 2018 Extra-Brut Soliste Chardonnay Pierry 1er Les Tartières et Les Porgeons is lovely, bursting with aromas of white flowers, pear, peach, citrus zest and a subtle touch of buttery pastry. Full-bodied, vinous and satiny, with an ample, fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and a long, saline finish, it's a decidedly vinous, gastronomic Champagne. 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.