Anselme Selosse is an outstanding winegrower from the Côte des Blancs region, area that inspires the most idealistic of the new generation of winemakers. Ecologist and follower of the Burgundy wine aging method in new barrels, method which he assimilated during his studies in Beaune, Anselm has chosen an original method by picking grapes that characterized by their high level of maturity and low yields, which by itself is a revolution in the Champagne area. He nurtures the wines over a long period of time in barrels, stirring if necessary. This results in wines with a strong personality, of very high quality and a fabulous complexity. Production is very limited, so keep them in your basement, where they will evolve gracefully.
The Domain
Constituted by Jacques Selosse, Father Anselm, the domain now has 7.5 hectares spread over 47 plots. The key lies in the heart of the Côte des Blancs (Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil -sur- Oger ) planted with Chardonnay vines to which are added some beautiful plots of pinot noir from the Montagne de Reims on Ay , Ambonnay and Mareuil -sur- Ay areas.
Anselme Selosse became in a few years the most significant champagne winemaker in the world of bubbles. His experiments, his quest for perfection have attracted the interest of the entire profession, and of course, wine lovers worldwide. It epitomizes the strong qualitative thrust from the champagne winegrowers, transmitting this to the young generation of champagne producers willing to follow his example.
A superlative taste
Jacques Selosse champagnes are famous for their purity, perfectly mastered righteousness and oxidative notes. Aromas of gingerbread and apples, rendering it quite irresistible. Just by meeting Anselme Selosse one sees immediately that he has much more to offer than his wines : it’s a philosophy in itself that we share, the relation of man to nature. As a corollary to this approach, is his choice in the search for mature grapes, another distinctive sign of Anselme Selosses’ approach. Producing champagne with perfectly ripe grapes is a more common approach today, this has not always the case. However, the vineyard remains the most important factor : “100% of the identity of a wine comes from the vineyard. In winemaking, we can only lose, conceal or destroy. ”
In the cellar , as in the vineyard , Anselme Selosse is a perfectionist, sparing no efforts in order to best express the identity of his wines.
A Solera Type assembly
All plots are vinified separately in Burgundy barrels. The proportion of new oak casks remains low so as not to mark the wines too much. Fermentation departures are done naturally, without external additives. The juice is not decanted and lees are periodically stirred . After 8 to 12 months in oak barrels, the wine will continue their maturation in casks or vats, with their lees, before aging in bottles between 3 and 10 years.
According to Anselme Selosse, a vintage is a style. “During assembly, the first approach is to put all the wines of the same type together to create a homogeneous class and hence avoiding their triviality. These mix ratios are generally very feeble and vary depending on the years.”
The 2002 vintage
The 2002 vintage Champagne Jacques Selosse, comes from two parcels located on the Chardonnay Grand Cru Avize terroir. Anselme Selosse uses its two plots to make this vintage wine since 1975. The production is only of 3600 bottles for the 2002vintage. This is a fabulous vintage. 2002 is definitely the best of the decade. These Champagnes will age very well.
The Brut Rosé
Again, the triumph of the blended rosé; where the red wine brings the full force of his personality, beautiful nose, perfect vinosity, great length, a monument!
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Cases of Lieux-Dits collection
Composed of 6 vintages from 6 different plots. This collector case, offers us the possibility of doing a horizontal wine tasting experience. 6 different villages, 6 different plots (Lieux-dits), 6 different tastes and nevertheless the same work, the same winemaking and farming techniques the same therefore, the difference in taste and their differenrt characters of the wines can only come from their terroir, or their Lieu-Dit .
- Lieux-dits : « Les Carelles » (le Mesnil-sur-Oger)
- Lieux-dits : « La Côte Faron » (Aÿ)
- Lieux-dits : « Le bout du clos » (Ambonnay)
- Lieux-dits : « Les Chantereines » (Avize)
- Lieux-dits : « Sous le mont » (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ)
- Lieux-dits : « Chemin de Châlons » (Cramant)
“The Carelles “ comes from a vineyard planted with Chardonnay on a chalky hillside facing east and located in the village of Mesnil -sur- Oger. The name of the locality comes from a chalk quarry nearby. The wine is made from a base of 2003-2004 and the next disgorging process coming from mini soleras. This locality produces 3,000 bottles a year, it is the freshest, finest and most elegant wine of the collection. A perfect champagne for the aperitif.
” La Côte Faron “ comes from a pinot noir vineyard, planted on a very steep hillside facing south and located in the comune of Ay. The name of the locality evokes the characteristically steep and sunbathed slopes. The wine comes from a base of 2003-2004 and the next disgorging process coming from mini soleras. This locality that produces 600 bottles per year is the most powerful, the spicier and the more oxidative of the collection. The perfect champagne to be served during a meal.
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” Le Bout du Clos “ comes from a vineyard planted with Pinot Noir (80%) and Chardonnay (20 %) established on a gently sloping hillside facing south and located in the comune of Ambonnay . The wine comes from a base of 2004 and the next will be disgorging process coming from mini soleras. This locality produces 2,000 bottles a year, taste-wise, it is halfway between his two former colleagues. It is powerful but also suave and fresh.
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“The Chantereines “comes from a vineyard of chardonnay vines on the edge of the commune of Avize. This parcel of Grand Cru appellation, takes its name from the proven presence by Anselme Selosse himself of frogs (called chantereines). The wine comes from a base of 2004 and the next disgorging process coming from mini soleras. This locality produces 600 bottles per year.
“Sous le Mont” comes from a pinot noir vineyard in the commune of Mareuil -sur- Ay . This parcel of Grand Cru is located on the hillside (hence its name). The wine comes from a base of 2004 and the next disgorging will come from minis solera .
” Chemin de Châlons “ comes from a chardonnay vineyard on the edge of the commune of Cramant. This parcel of Grand Cru at a scarce hundred meters from the “Chantereines.” The wine comes from a base of 2004 and the next disgorging, coming from mini soleras. This locality produces 600 bottles per year.
Organic farming
Anselme Selosse is master of bio-dynamics, the area meets the specifications: No chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides; harvest at physiological maturity; 8000 plants / ha; severe pruning to reduce the yield. The only things you will not see any are signs of organic farming on the labels. Anselm refuses any certification despite compliance with organic farming fleeing “labels.”
