Last year we introduced "one of Champagne's most exciting and dynamic young producers" (William Kelley). Jean-Marc Sélèque overhauled his family business in 2008, revitalising his vineyards and building a new winery, which was completed in 2015. The wines reflect their terroir; ripe fruit is harvested, with minimal to no additions made in the cellar ahead of ageing sur lattes, with minimal dosage to reveal the wines' true character.
We recently tasted the latest releases, including a cuvée we have previously been unable to offer due to small production levels. They build on the previous successes, each wine clearly translating its terroir with a unifying chalky freshness and tension that is the hallmark of Jean-Marc's wines.
The latest Solessence Extra Brut - the flagship wine of the estate - represents superb value for money. It is a dry, mineral wine that is full of energy and subtle lees complexity. It is based on the 2021 vintage and remains terrific value at £195 per six in bond.
The Solessence Rosé is fantastic this year - based around the white Extra Brut it sees an addition of Jean-Marc's very good Coteaux Champenois Pinot Noir and some infused Meunier. It, too, is just £195 per six.
We have a very small allocation of Solessence Elevage Prolongé Brut Nature. Based on the 2018 vintage, this is aged for a further three years before disgorgement, with no dosage added to create a steely, structured Brut Nature style. It is £225 per six.
We can offer the Quintette Chardonnay for the first time this year. From a 9,000 bottle production, this Blanc de Blancs formed around the excellent 2020 vintage and was the highlight of the wines we tasted. Chalky, intense yet ethereal and dry with a lipsmacking, layered finish, this wine is terrific value given its quality at £250 per six.
Jean-Marc is working wonders as he builds a strong reputation for his superb wines. It is remarkable that they remain so well-priced given their quality and growing reputation with critics. In his latest reviews Kelley states: "Everything here comes recommended, and I warmly encourage readers to acquaint themselves with these wines." Buy them now, before the world catches on.
