Champagne Jacquesson 748

The Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée No. 748 is a masterpiece from the prestigious Maison Jacquesson, one of France's oldest and most respected champagne houses, founded in 1798 in Châlons-sur-Marne.

Breaking with the tradition of uniform 'non-vintage bruts', brothers Jean-Hervé and Laurent Chiquet revolutionized the winery in the late 1990s with the concept of the 700 Cuvées. The goal of this philosophy is to seek excellence in each bottling, expressing with absolute honesty the character of the base harvest instead of camouflaging it under a fixed recipe. The Cuvée 748 is based on the exceptional 2020 harvest, a year characterized by a rainy winter, a sunny spring, and an extremely dry summer that fostered perfect ripeness and superb balance in the grapes.

The blend of this extraordinary sparkling wine is mainly composed of Chardonnay, complemented with Pinot Noir and Meunier. The vineyards of origin are located in prestigious municipalities classified as Grands Crus and Premiers Crus: 55% comes from plots in Aÿ, Dizy, Hautvillers, and Champillon (Vallée de la Marne), while the remaining 45% comes from Avize and Oiry (Côte des Blancs). To provide greater complexity and consistency, the blend is enriched with 24% reserve wines from previous cuvées (from 747 to 743 and 741). In the cellar, vinification is carried out with the utmost respect for the terroir: fermentation in large oak foudres with regular bâtonnage, without prior fining or filtration. Following a long aging on the lees in the cellar and a disgorgement performed with a minimal dosage of Extra Brut (2 g/l), the wine presents itself with crystalline purity, vibrant tension, and unparalleled gastronomic complexity. Recently, the maison has entered a new era under the ownership of Artémis Domaines (François Pinault's group, which includes icons like Château Latour), consolidating its status at the pinnacle of global luxury.

Tasting Notes of Champagne Jacquesson 748:

Visual phase: It presents a beautiful, bright straw-yellow color with golden reflections and an extremely fine, persistent, and elegant bubble that forms an impeccable rosary.

Olfactory phase: On the nose, it is complex, expressive, and deeply mineral. Notes of ripe white fruits (water pear, baked apple) and fresh citrus (grapefruit, lemon peel) stand out, giving way to subtle aromas of fine bakery, toasted brioche, salted nuts (almonds, hazelnuts), and a touch of ginger and damp chalk.

Gustatory phase: On the palate, it is broad, structured, and of an elegant vinosity. The entry is fresh and direct, with a vibrant but perfectly integrated acidity that brings tension. The mouthfeel is creamy thanks to a caressing bubble. Long, saline, and markedly mineral finish, with memories of red fruits and toasted bread.

Value Points

Base Harvest 2020: An exceptional vintage marked by optimal ripeness and a perfectly integrated acidity due to the sunny and dry climate.

Elite Terroir: Crafted exclusively with grapes from Grands and Premiers Crus of the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs.

Foudre Philosophy: Vinification and aging on the lees in large oak wood foudres, contributing volume, structure, and complexity without invasive tannic contributions.

Extra Brut Dosage: A minimal dosage of just 2 grams per liter that preserves the purity, calcareous mineral character, and natural freshness of the wine.

Service Protocol

Recommended serving temperature: between 8ºC and 10ºC. It is advised to use medium-sized white wine glasses or wide tulip glasses instead of the classic narrow flute glass, thus allowing the champagne to oxygenate and deploy all its aromatic complexity.

Ideal pairing: Natural oysters, caviar, noble grilled shellfish, baked white fish with creamy sauces, bluefin tuna tartar, or poultry dishes such as roasted poularde with morels.