2002 Jacquesson Millésime Dégorgement Tardif

Jacquesson

France / Champagne / Jacquesson

2002 was a year of near perfect weather conditions for the vines. The blend comprises Chardonnay from Avize (36%) and Chouilly (7%) and Pinots Noirs from Dizy (35%), Ay (15%) and Mareuil sur Ay (7%).

July, 2018

Antonio Galloni

Vinous Media

90 points

Jacquesson’s 2002 Vintage Dégorgement Tardif is the last wine to be released from the prior era when Jacquesson was a large house and relied to a greater degree on purchased fruit than today. The apricot, smoke, licorice, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes are typical of a Champagne that is approaching its plateau of maturity. The exotic, ripe style of the years is very much on display in this supple, inviting Champagne. Although quite good, the 2002 lacks the thrill factor that is such a signature of these Champagnes today. Dosage 1.5 grams per litre. Disgorged November, 2017.

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About Jacquesson

Jacquesson has an impressive history. It was founded in 1798 in Châlons by Memmie Jacquesson, son of a wine trader. The house rapidly rose to fame, aided by the fact that Napoleon was a fan. However, everything that we today value about Jacquesson began in 1974 when Côte des Blancs winegrower Jean Chiquet acquired the brand and vineyards and moved the domicile of the house to Dizy. His sons Jean-Hervé and Laurent Chiquet are the present custodians of the Jacquesson trading house, which manages to cover almost 90% of its grape requirement from its own vineyards. These are located in the Grands Crus Aÿ, Avize and Oiry, and in the Premiers Crus Hautvillers, Dizy and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ. Additional grapes are only bought from growers who follow exactly the same methods as the Chiquets. The fruit is pressed by Jacquesson itself in its four presses, three of which are located in Dizy and one in Avize.


About

Laurent and Jean-Hervé Chiquet see themselves primarily as winegrowers who cultivate the land and do everything with the aim of obtaining the best possible grapes. And from there, the brothers have been ready to break with convention in order to deliver the best possible wine every time - hence the decision to introduce the 7-series non-vintage wines instead of the traditional house NV. In his 2018 article entitled Champagne’s Top Five Movers & Shakers, Tyson Stelzer summed up the approach pretty well: "It’s been 40 years since Jean-Hervé and Laurent Chiquet’s family purchased Jacquesson, 30 years since the brothers took control, 20 years since they turned champagne’s non-vintage concept on it head with their controversial ‘700 series’ cuvée, and ten years since they pulled their most cunning stunt of all by slashing production to ramp up quality. And ramp up it has."