Champagne JM Seleque Solessence Rosé Extra Brut NV

As a third-generation vigneron, Jean-Marc Sélèque has made it his focus to craft dynamic expressions of the family’s holdings in the Marne Valley. He grew up on the family’s estate, absorbing by proxy much about the land and business, but ultimately setting out to travel the world on his own and learn about wine regions abroad in places like Napa and Australia before returning home in 2008. His adventures guide his vision for the family winery’s business, including a switch to biodynamics, as well as a thoughtful, sustainable focus on how to best approach agriculture in order to reflect the purity of Champagne and his family’s land. 

His Solessence Rosé captures all of these amazing efforts with finesse, as a careful and compelling blend from the various family plots to craft an expansive and fresh expression of the Sélèque style. A blend of 45% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier (10% macerated), and 15% Pinot Noir (5% still) – with 40% reserve wines from the family’s perpetual reserve – makes up this prudent wine, sourced from their plots in Pierry, Moussy, Epernay, Mardeuil, Dizy, Boursault, and Vertus. The Vin Clair is aged in a mix of stainless steel and oak barrels before making the transition to sparkling wine with a full 24 months on the lees for integration and richness, finished by a petite Extra Brut dosage of just 2 grams per liter.

The final wine is something to exalt – with an elegant combination of linear purity and balanced power. As a lovely light, golden-coral color fills the glass, the aromas open with strawberries dipped in fresh whipped cream, Nilla Wafers, dried roses, and wet concrete on the nose. The palate spreads throughout the mouth with electric jubilance, as notes of grilled peach, red cherry, grapefruit peel, and candied ginger expand with endless energy. A phenolic mineral tension comes in on the long-lasting finish, though the whole thing is bright and ripe throughout. A real stunning wine through and through that is sure to only make you fall even deep in love with exceptionally well-done Grower Champagne! If you have the wiggle room, opting for three will get you free shipping… and an extra pep in your step!