Soliste Meunier 2020, Champagne 1er Cru Les Gouttes d'Or J-M Sélèque | Champagne

JM Sélèque 's Champagne Soliste Meunier Pierry 1er Cru Les Gouttes d'Or is an exceptional cuvée revealing all the nobility and precision of Pinot Meunier. Situated at the foot of the slope in the village of Pierry 1er Cru, the historic Les Gouttes d'Or parcel is made up of vines planted between 1950 and 1970, resulting from an ancient massal selection that naturally offers low yields. The flint-rich clay loam soils, set on a subsoil of outcropping chalk, give this Blanc de Noirs an even ripeness and natural salinity. After meticulous hand harvesting and spontaneous fermentation, Jean Marc Sélèque ages this wine for 10 months in oak barrels, before continuing to refine and develop its mousse for 4 years under cork in the wine estate's cellars. The absence of malolactic fermentation on this Extra Brut Champagne preserves all the natural tension of the fruit.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Domaine JM Sélèque 's Champagne Soliste Meunier 1er Cru elevates this grape variety, often confined to blending, to the rank of soloist. In this exceptional cuvée, Jean Marc Sélèque reveals his remarkable expertise in the art of extracting the quintessence of grape variety and terroir: iol successfully combines the charm of Pinot Meunier with the precision of a great 1er Cru. This Champagne Extra Brut Blanc de Noirs will surprise many with its depth, liveliness and ageing potential.

The nose opens with white flowers and a certain minty freshness. The fruity bouquet evokes ripe peach, apple and citrus notes. The purity and precision of the whole are adorned with a delicately powdery mineral nobility as the wine opens up.

On the palate, this Soliste Meunier 1er Cru is brilliantly fruity, served by a silky, pleasantly persistent effervescence. The fullness of the body is admirably structured by tracing acidity and a minerality typical of Champagne limestone. Ageing in wood gives the finish a relief marked by sweet spices, while a fine salinity prolongs the wine's harmony with great refinement.