Jacquesson Champagne – Napoleon’s favourite!

A recent visit to Jacquesson house in Champagne and tasting with Jean-Herve Chiquet confirmed the extraordinary calibre of this wine….. Jacquesson is the oldest independent family owned champagne house and was Napoleon’s favourite house.   The family is deeply wedded to the concept of terroir including organic practices in the vineyard  Jacquesson has been awarded 3 stars (the best and maximum ranking!) in Le Classement by La Revue du Vin de France.  Le Classement is a ranking of the 1300 best domaines in France and only 56 domaines in France have 3 star status.  Jacquesson together with Krug, Salon and 3 other champagne producers were awarded the 3 star status… 
We currently have a limited number of their incredible 1996 vintage.   This vintage champagne comprises pinot noir from Grand Cru, Montagne de Reims (31%) and Ay & Dizy (26%) and chardonnay from Cotes de Blanc (43%) were vinified on lees in cask.     Champagne Wine critic and aficiando, Andrew Jefford was glowing with praise about this champagne: “…. Splendid aromatic complexities: may blossom, honey and nougat, bread and rich, ruffled fruits, all deftly interwoven into a mouthwatering whole. Very fine intensity and shape in the mouth; multi-layered and multi-dimensioned; complex but splendid ripeness…..Its intensity gives it great length and poise, and the vinous tapestry of fruits makes it something of a meditation wine among Champagnes.”