LeDomduVin: Jacques Selosse V.O "Version Originale" Blanc-de-Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Extra Brut

Jacques Selosse V.O "Version Originale" Blanc-de-Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Extra Brut

I always feel very humble when opening a bottle of Jacques Selosse's “Version Originale.”

First, it is rare, as only 3600 bottles are produced annually worldwide. Second, it is such an excellent champagne that you must experience it at least once to fully understand why.

Understandably, it is very sought-after and hard to find as the allocations per buyer are small, just a few bottles, and only if you can get them. I have been fortunate to be able to source, buy, open, taste, and serve quite a few these past three years.

For those who may not know, V.O. is a cuvée "Blanc de Blancs," thus 100% Chardonnay grapes, harvested from Grand Cru vineyards planted on slopes around the villages of Avize, Cramant, and Oger.

The blend combines three consecutive vintages, made with the current vintage and blended with "reserve" wines from the previous two vintages. This blending method enables consistency in taste, highlights the original character of the wine, and reduces the impact of variable climatic conditions.

 

The resulting wine is then aged 6-7 years on lees and dosed as an "Extra Brut" (between 0 & 1.3 g/l depending on the vintage), which contributes to preserving the Champagne's natural character, freshness, and harmony and allows to reveal the intrinsic quality and minerality of the various terroirs.

For example, this bottle was disgorged in 2019, meaning the blend is made of the 2012 or 2013 vintage, blended with some 2010 and 2011 reserve wines.

Unlike Jacques Selosse's "Lieux Dits" Collection, undoubtedly the purest expressions of the 6 top vineyard sites they work with, V.O. may not reveal as perfectly and precisely the real identity of the terroirs it comes from. Yet, it still delivers charm, character, intensity, complexity, and concentration with finesse, elegance, and beautiful minerality.

Let it rest 2 or 3 years in your cellar to experience its full potential. It is recommended to serve it at 12°C. Decant it, if necessary.  

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

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Ledomduvin: Champagne anyone? Jacques Selosse and Dom Perignon

Champagne anyone? 

Jacques Selosse and Dom Perignon 

Now, it is not every day one gets to taste Jacques Selosse. Especially the cuvee "V.O.", and for good reasons, the price reflects the high quality and tiny production. 

Jacques Selosse only produces 3600 bottles of Version Originale ("V.O.") for the whole world. It is very sought-after and hard to find as the allocations per buyer are small, just a few bottles only if you can get them. 

Official suppliers and distributors usually sell out almost immediately; hence, finding some bottles on the grey market at unreasonable prices is unsurprising. 

Jacques Selosse V.O. 'Version Originale' Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra Brut NV (Disgorged 2019)

Disgorged in 2019, this "Version Originale" displayed rich and enticing golden apples and pears perfumes mingling with floral and mineral notes. The palate resembled more of a wine than a champagne as the bubbles faded rather quickly, diminishing the usual effervescence. Soft, silky, complex, dense, sophisticated, graceful and luxurious, expanding gently until the long, lingering finish. What a treat! Definitely living up to the hype! Loved it!

Jacques Selosse "Initial" Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut NV (disgorged 2021)

"Initial" is the more "accessible" Cuvee of Jacques Selosse. Yet, although less complicated to find, he only produces 33000 bottles of it, which is also scarce. I would have loved to taste it side by side with its sibling to compare them, especially because the "Initial" was disgorged in 2021, so the comparison would have been interesting. But, the host decided not to open it, unfortunately.  Too bad! Oh well, there will be a next time. 

Dom Perignon Brut Vintage 2013

Dom Perignon 2013 has been one of our House Champagnes for the past few months, so I have served it several times lately. It tasted the same as a few days ago. Fresh, crisp, elegant, and racy, it is lighter, less rich and less textured than the 2012 (IMO), yet lovely density and structure with refreshing acidity, boasting floral and mineral aromas and flavours with yellow fruits and yeasty nuances. Perfect as an aperitif and with light appetizers. 

I loooooove Champagne!

Cheers! Santé!

Dom

@ledomduvin #ledomduvin @domainejacquesselosse #jacqueselosse @domperignonofficial #domperignon #champagne #bubbly #bubbles #versionoriginale #initial #rarechampagne #tastingnotes  #sommelier #sommlife #sommelierlife #tastingnotes

Unless stated otherwise, all rights reserved ©LeDomduVin 2023, on all the contents above including, but not limited to, photos, pictures, drawings, illustrations, collages, visuals, maps, memes, posts, texts, writings, quotes, notes, tasting notes, descriptions, wine descriptions, definitions, recipes, graphs, tables, and even music and video (when and where applicable).