Maison Jacques Selosse in Avize was founded after the Second World War. Since 1974 it has been managed by Jacques’ son Anselme, with the assistance of his son, Guillaume. Their champagnes have earned a reputation for being some of the finest in the region, achieving a rare level of perfection. They are highly sought after by Champagne lovers and showered with praise by the critics. The domain owns 8 hectares of vines and produces less than 60,000 bottles a year. The vineyard follows biodynamic practices but has decided not to seek formal certification so as to remain flexible. Grass is allowed to grow freely around the vines and the land is worked with horse-drawn ploughs. The wines, developed in barriques, are very exciting to drink and full of character although they may surprise novices unfamiliar with this type of champagne.

The name ‘RP03’ is an abbreviation of ‘Réserve Personnelle du millésime 2003’, a vintage very dear to its creator, Anselme Selosse. This cuvée comes from the eponymous lieu-dit Les Carelles, characterised by its Chardonnay vines planted on an east-facing chalk-rich slope in Mesnil-sur-Oger. Produced in limited quantities, this cuvée is fought over by fans of delicate bubbles and of this exceptional producer who, working in an eco-friendly way, has thus far rejected the constraints of official organic production. Rest assured that these vines are cultivated without chemical additives, pesticides, or herbicides. As for the yields, these are mastered with strict pruning. In the glass this cuvée has a pale colour and a delicate nose of lime and candied lemon. Lively, chiselled, and driven by a fine minerality, this cuvée can be left for some years in the cellar to let the producer’s personality come through.