Jacques Selosse Chemin de Chalons

Chemin de Chalons is Jaques Selosse's vineyard in Cramant and his rarest champagne from the Terroir range. Anselme Selosse's base wines already have a lot of flavour from the ageing in oak barrels and not just from the long maturation on the lees. They may resemble white Burgundies in their youth with an extra sparkle, but this one was disgorged in April 2013 and has since lost its Chardonnay flavours. Caramel, rum-filled fruit, nougat, hazelnut, acacia flower and lavender honey are some of the complex flavours that emerge on the nose and palate. It is powerful, mouth-filling and smooth on the palate with a very fine mousse. It is a very satisfying experience, but I would have preferred it 5 years ago as the rich savoury notes completely dominate. Nevertheless, it is a delicious champagne full of flavours. We were in the mood for elegance and mineral freshness and opened a Heidsieck blanc de blancs 1981.