Jacques Selosse, Lieux-dits Les Carelles Grand Cru, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger 2011

Jacques Selosse, Anselme and Guillaume Selosse's Avize domaine, farms 8.3 ha in 54 mostly grand cru parcels: 7.3 ha of Chardonnay in Avize, Cramant, Oger and Le Mesnil, and 1 ha of Pinot Noir in Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and Ambonnay. Base wines ferment in oak, Burgundy-style. Initial (brut) and V.O. (extra brut) each blend three successive Chardonnay vintages, from the lower and upper Avize slopes. Substance comes from a solera begun in 1986. Since 2010, six Lieux-dits cuvées, including Les Carelles and Sous le Mont, each show one site. Grapes are picked at peak ripeness rather than for crisp acidity, ageing brings out saline, savoury flavours, and some critics find the wines oxidative.

Region

Avize, Côte des Blancs, Champagne

Owner

Selosse family (Anselme and Guillaume Selosse)

Vineyards

8.3 ha in 54 parcels; 7.3 ha Chardonnay (Avize, Cramant, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger), 1.0 ha Pinot Noir (Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, Ambonnay)

Grapes

Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

Wines

Initial; V.O. (Version Originale); Substance; Millésime; Rosé; Exquise; Lieux-dits (Chemin de Châlons, Les Carelles, Les Chantereines, Sous le Mont, Le Bout du Clos, La Côte Faron)

Website

selosse-lesavises.com

Sources: selosse-lesavises.com, winespectator.com, Wikipedia, bbr.com