Jacquesson Cuvee 742

Description

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 concept of terroir including organic practices in the vineyard.   Gorgeous depth, elegance and finesse here.

A chardonnay dominant style (47% chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier, predominantly from the 2014 vintage comprising all the single vineyard prestige cuvee fruit from Champ Cain, Vauzelle Terme & Corne Bautray that was declassified) exclusively from grand and premier cru vineyards; base wines were fermented in old oak casks on lees.  They champion quality ahead of champenoise obsession with similarity and consistency they replaced the all important non vintage wine with a numbered cuvee.  Their vineyards are in Grand Cru villages of Ay, Avize and Oiry and premier Cru of Hautvillers, Dizy and Mareuil sur Ay.   Even Paul Krug cut his teeth at Jacquesson before relocating to start his own show later in Reims.

2014, our harvest from Aÿ, Dizy & Hautvillers (59%), and from Avize & Oiry (41%). Winter was rainy and exceptionally mild, spring was hot and very dry, whilst July and August were cool and very wet. A hot, dry and sunny September saved the year. The balance of alcohol and acidity was excellent and the health of the grapes was generally good. However, after picking, rigorous sorting of some parcels affected by small sources of acid rot was necessary. As a result, the Chardonnays were superb, and the Meuniers, but above all the Pinot Noirs held their own. The blend is completed with the addition of some reserve wines.– Jean-Hervé & Laurent Chiquet.

Jacquesson has been awarded 3 stars (the best and maximum ranking!) in Le Classement by La Revue de 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.

The concentration of this wine puts this up there with the finest 700 series release to date.  This is the sublime champagne.

Reviews

94 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media July 2019

“The Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 742, based on the 2014 vintage, is a gorgeous wine. In this release, the Cuvée seems especially marked by Pinot in both its flavor profile and texture. Dried pear, hazelnut, mint, chamomile and dried flowers all grace this rich, beautifully resonant Champagne from Jacquesson. Best of all, the 742 will drink well with minimal cellaring. The 700-series Champagnes are often superb; the 742 is an especially fine edition. The blend is 59% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Dizy and Hautvillers) and 41% Chardonnay (from Avize and Oiry). Dosage is 1.5 grams per litre. “

93+ points. William Kelley, The Wine Advocate August 2019

“Based on the 2014 vintage and disgorged with 1.5 grams per litre dosage in July 2018, Jacquesson’s NV Extra Brut Cuvée No. 742 continues the house’s pioneering series of cuvées that employ reserve wines not in pursuit of a constant “house style” but merely with the aim of complementing each base vintage to maximize its potential. Wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of walnut oil, dried white flowers, saffron, citrus oil and crisp orchard fruit, along with a delicate top note of fino sherry, it’s medium to full-bodied, sapid and incisive, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, resonant finish. I found it irresistible.”

William Kelley, The Wine Advocate:

‘While Jacquesson’s most coveted wines are their tiny lieux-dits bottlings, it’s arguably the 700 series that gives the most relevant insights into the work they’re doing today. And based on the latest 700-series wines, the future will be very exciting indeed.”

RRP $135 Special price $99.99

STOCK IS LIMITED.. More stock arriving end of Jan 2021.. email your wish list to info@thevinepress.com