Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier
75cl * 12.5% ABV * Champagne, France
Founded in 1798 and still pushing boundaries today, Jacquesson is one of the oldest and yet most innovative houses in Champagne. Owned and run by brothers Jean-Hervé and Laurent Chiquet, in the early 2000s they pioneered the idea of a numbered non-vintage cuvée, freeing themselves from the constraint of consistency, and permitting instead the pursuit of excellence above all else. With that change came increased transparency: grape sources, disgorgement date, dosage and production volumes were displayed on the back label, affording consumers an insight into the wine that other champagne houses have since adopted.
Around eighty percent of the house’s needs are supplied by its own vineyards, and the whole approach is much closer to that of the conscientious grower than the large négociant. Low yields, careful pressing, stringent selection, fermentation in large oak casks, prolonged lees ageing, minimal dosage, and the absence of fining, filtration and artificial cold stabilisation together account for wines of spectacular vinosity, complexity and finesse.
The 746 is the latest cuvée in Jacquesson’s ground-breaking series. Composed of 43% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir, and 30% Pinot Meunier grapes from the finest villages of Montagne de Reims and Côte des Blancs; Grands Crus of Aÿ, Avize and Oiry and Premiers Crus of Dizy and Hautvillers, plus 30% reserve wines. It is then vinified in unfiltered foudres, aged for four years on lees, disgorged and finally dosed at 2g/L. The wine is complex but balanced, with notes of citrus, preserved lemon, white flowers and brioche. The palate is silky-textured, rich with flavours of ripe pear and vine peach. The finish offers vibrant freshness and invigorating, saline notes.
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2033