Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV
- Vintage
- Non Vintage
- Country
- France
- Region
- Champagne
- Size
- 750ml
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
- Rating
- WS96, WA94
A voluptuous Champagne that entices with its lovely, lightly viscous texture and its fragrant thread of exotic spices that waft on the nose and wind through the palate. Shows impeccable balance, with a lithe spine of acidity providing focus and definition for the opulent range of blackberry coulis, kumquat and passion fruit, with notes of coffee liqueur, roasted nut and honeycomb. Disgorged August 2020. Drink now through 2028. - WS96
The latest rendition of Selosse's NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Initial is showing beautifully, unwinding in the glass with aromas of pear, dried fruits, confit lemon, fenugreek, fresh bread and toasted almonds. Full-bodied, vinous and complex, it's a rich, fleshy Champagne that's underpinned by bright acids and complemented by a pinpoint mousse, concluding with a long, sapid finish. As usual, this bottling derives from the lower-altitude slopes of Avize, Cramant and Oger, where the soils are richer in clay and yields are higher when compared with the vineyards that inform V. O. - WA94
The domain
Passion, epicurean, charisma
Our domain is located in the village of Avize, situated in the Côte de Blancs. A family-run property which encompasses close to 8 hectares of vines in the crus of Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Ay, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Ambonnay.
Anselme Selosse and the history of the domain :
Anselme’s parents carried out their first vinification in 1964. Ten years later Anselme was given the keys to the domain. He thus began his professional career with what would become a lifelong process of observation, trial and error and contemplation in regards to his viticultural methods and practices. This empirical approach to viticulture and vinification is perhaps his most remarkable trait as a winegrower.
From 1990 to 1996 the principles of agro-biology were applied in the vineyards, from 1996 his focus turned to bio-dynamics. In 2002 Anselme distanced himself from the bio-dynamic doctrine, defying the usual codes and processes as he did not wish to have any hand in influencing nature. The thoughts and reflections of Masanobu Fukuoa and permaculture had begun to inspire him and subsequently the attention he pays to the vines and the wine.
For the last twenty years, the Selosse family has developed its own system of viticulture which is an approach that follows no set method, but rather permanently adapts itself to the circumstances confronted throughout the growing season in the various vineyard plots. In order to explain their philosophy pertaining to the vines, Anselme and Guillaume often make references to “gatherers”, those who venture out into nature to reap the harvest and collect the fruit found there:
« “Primum non nocere”. First, do no harm…The Hippocratic Oath…“It is man who perturbs nature the most thus one must refrain from intervening as often as possible ».
As the time draws near to pass the keys to the next generation at Domaine Jacques Selosse, Anselme and Corinne’s son, Guillaume, has, since 2012, been preparing to follow in his father’s footsteps. During the time spent working side by side with his father, he has naturally been developing his own viticultural skills and inclinations which will most certainly lend a unique identity to the wines in the future. The transition and transmission in motion at the domain may be likened to a relay race where the athletes are handing off the baton; the baton of passion for wine, vines and fine food and drink. With great integrity, open-mindedness and vigor, Guillaume is readying himself to leave his own mark upon the family history of dreams, ambition and charisma that are his alone. - Information from Jacques Selosse Website