If you love Champagne, and you love the electricity of the extra-brut style, you love Jacquesson. Quality-wise and by critical acclaim, Jacquesson ranks at 5-star level alongside Krug, Selosse, Roederer, Bollinger and Egly-Ouriet.
We’re delighted to bring you their Cuvée 746 Extra-Brut NV. Based on the 2018 vintage with 30% reserve wine, this trinity blend of Chardonnay (56%), Pinot Noir (24%) and Pinot Meunier (20%) from Grand and Premier Cru sites offers a complex, textured yet delicate wine with their characteristic vibrancy. The ‘tight and compact but very satisfying’ palate (Jancis Robinson) is complemented by a bouquet of baked bread, orchard fruit and dried flowers with preserved citrus oil and a pinpoint mousse.
Founded in 1798, Jacquesson has a history of trailblazing. The owners, brothers Laurent and Jean-Hervé Chiquet, have changed the face of Champagne with their 700-series, focusing on vintages and single-vineyard bottlings and eschewing the traditional yearly, non-vintage ‘house styles’. They re-launched the 700-series in 2000 with Cuvée 728. So when looking for the vintage on which one of Jacquesson’s 700-series is based, simply subtract 728 from the cuvée number. For example, 746 – 728 = 18. Thus, Cuvée 746 is based on the 2018 vintage.
‘I could say a lot about Jacquesson, starting with the Chiquet family’s maniacal pursuit of quality in the vineyards and cellar. But for me, the single most important driver of the identity of these Champagnes is very low dosage, which places these wines at or near the far end of the spectrum for wines made with this style, a style that is all about energy and vibrancy.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Tasting Notes:
‘Disgorged in November 2022 with two grams per liter dosage, the NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 746 is based on the 2018 vintage. The grapes were sourced from Avize and Oiry (32%) and Hauvillers (68%). Showing nicely, it offers up a delicate, ripe bouquet with aromas of baked bread, ripe orchard fruits, almonds, dried flowers and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, it’s fleshy with an enveloping core of fruit, a pinpoint mousse and a delicate, perfumed, ripe orchard fruit-inflected finish.’ – Yohan Castaing, Wine Advocate, 92/100
‘The NV Extra-Brut Cuvée No. 746 (2018 base) is bright and energetic. Chardonnay drives the blend, but that is not especially evident. Kirsch, plum, spice, cedar, dried flowers and a kick of candied orange peel unfold in the glass, while tropical accents and a hint of spice linger. Best of all, the 746 will drink well upon release. The airy, lighter style is all charm. The blend is 56% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Meunier and 20% Pinot Noir, with 25% reserve wines. Dosage is 2 grams per liter. Disgorged: February 2023.’ – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 91/100
‘Neat, well constituted and with more marked acidity than some. Tight and compact but very satisfying. Very clean and bracing.’ – Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com, 16.5+/20
