JM Seleque Solessence Extra Brut NV

Jean-Marc Sélèque spent his formative winemaking years learning abroad before heading back to his native France. After working for some larger-scale producers, he was bent on bringing clean cellar practices, organic viticulture, and meticulous attention to detail to his family winery. JM Sélèque was founded in the 1960s, and Jean-Marc is the current winemaker and manager of the estate.

This particular bottling, Solessence, utilizes a really cool concept called Reserve Perpetuelle, which means that wine from the new vintage each year gets blended back into a tank that's filled with a base of older wines. It's like a mini-solera, and helps add complexity, depth and texture to the final wine. If you'd like a more detailed description of how this is made, there's one here. Wines get a combination oak and stainless steel aging at Sélèque, so the wines are never too oxidative or too rigid. This cuvée utilizes mostly the 2018 vintage as a base, then new and older reserve wines in smaller amounts. It's made from roughly 50% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Meunier and 10% Pinot Noir. 

This wine hits up front with notes of fresh Granny Smith apple, toasted cumin, sesame cookie and fresh baked scone. On the palate it's a rush of mineral and fruit notes: crushed oyster shell, sea spray, apple skin and white flowers.

This is a producer who's risen fast and is making pretty incredible wines in my opinion. I think they may become hard to get in the next couple years, but for now let's take advantage of their deliciousness and stock up!