During a recent visit to Champagne, I met with proprietor Jean-Hervé Chiquet to taste through a great lineup of Jacquesson. Here are a few short mini reviews of some of the Champagne’s we tasted, all delicious and Enobytes approved.
NV Jacquesson Brut Champagne Cuvée nº 734
The blend is composed of 54% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir and 26% Pinot Meunier producing a bright, peachy Champagne with good acidity. This is a non-vintage wine with a vintage style. Drink now through 2013. Rating: B+ | $60 | 12.0% ABV
1995 Jacquesson Extra Brut Champagne Avize Grand Cru
Lying on the lower slopes of the Grand Cru village of Avize and at the heart of the Côte des Blancs is where Jacquesson’s three parcels of Chardonnay grow. The ’95 vintage was claimed the finest Avize Grand Cru produced by Jacquesson vinified partly in oak casks and partly in tanks. The assemblage was bottled in ’96. Most of it was disgorged between 2001 and 2004 but a small number of bottles were disgorged much later in 2010 (with zero dosage) to bring out tertiary aromas. This Champagne is a simple pleasure of life worth seeking out—it shines with toasted elements and a firm structure. Rating: A- | $90 | 12.0% ABV
2002 Jacquesson Brut Champagne
The assemblage consists of Chardonnays from Avize (36%) and Chouilly (7%) and Pinot Noir from Dizy (35%), Ay (15%) and Mareuil/Ay (7%). It is alluring with a nutty and spicy core; hints of apple, peach and clove. Good texture, finishing long and smooth. Rating: A- | $150 | 12.0% ABV
