Jacques Selosse Initiale [11/24 Disgorgement]

Anselme's "classic" Brut. An assemblage of three vintages. Aged 2 years before disgorgement. In the winery, Selosse defies convention by using only indigenous yeasts for fermentations and by minimizing the use of SO2. He ferments and raises his wines in wood barrels (less than 20% new) and leaves them on their fine lees for extended periods. Since taking over Champagne Jacques Selosse in 1980, Anselme has used the uncompromising brilliance of his wines - as well as no small amount of charisma - to challenge Champagne's old defintions for excellence. If ten or twenty years from now, small, quality-driven growers have finally taken their share of the power - and the big houses have fully embraced the ideas of low yields, chemical-free vineyards and terroir-based wines - Anselme will deserve much of the credit.