The origins of this great grower Champagne began when the estate was founded by Jacques Selosse and his family in the 1950’s. Taken over by Anselme Selosse in 1970 with an idea of making great champagne comes from using the greatest fruits. Based in the Avize region of Chamapgne, the estate produced it’s first vintage in 1960. As a grower champagne, the grapes used to produce the wines are grown in vineyards owned by the winery rather than being purchased from other growers. Selosse wines are fermented using oak barrels and the estate is formed of 15ha, predominately Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir and around 55,000 bottles are produced each vintage. In the winery, Anselme defies convention using only indigenous yeasts for fermentations and according to Anselme “great Champagne needs no make-up, dosage is kept to an absolute miminum”.

The champagne is unique and if there is such a thing as a cult champagne maker, this is one; its fermentation and malolactic fermentation all happen in barrel so its very much a champagne made with "oxygen present" so is instantly recognisable with a rich amber gold colour, has amazing concentration on the nose, lots of dried fruits and lime character and a richly flavoured palate quite similar to rich fruit cake and just a slight bubble that lifts a long and lingering finish.

The collection is made up of six bottles of Jacques Selosse from six different parcels. Each of the following are only available in the Lieux Dits Collection.
La Côte Faron à Ay (Aÿ) - Pinot Noir based
Les Carelles au Mesnil (Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) - Chardonnay
Le Bout du Clos à Ambonnay (Ambonnay) - Pinot Noir based
Sous le Mont à Mareuil/Ay (Mareuil-sur-Aÿ) - Pinot Noir based
Les Chantereines à Avize (Avize) - Chardonnay - (produced only for the collection, not sold separately)
Chemin de Châlons à Cramant (Cramant) - Chardonnay - (produced only for the collection, not sold separately)

Dosage: Unknown, but likely to be low 3 g/L
Disgorged: 2013
Drink: Now to 2030

Since taking over Champagne Jacques Selosse in 1980, Anselme has used the uncompromising brilliance of his wines to challenge Champagne's old definitions for excellence. Anselme came of age in the 1970's and during his time studying oenology he learnt how he wanted to take this excellent champagne to the next stage. In his tenure at the head of the Selosse production he managed to develop his idea's at the head of his father's estate, in Avize on the Côte des Blancs. Once he started farming organically and significantly reducing yields was when he was able to produce the Champagne he really believed in. Named France's best winemaker in every category in 1994 by Gault-Millau.

Cellar Master: Anselme Selosse
Winery Location: Avize | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Côte des Blancs
Annual Production (bottles): 3300