Jacqueson Grand Cru Avize 1995

On a warm, sunny spring day, I drank a bottle of old champagne with a dear friend. I have been feeling out of sorts for over a week and the Jacquesson Grand Cru Avize from the very good 1995 vintage was the perfect pick me up. It was one of several from a visit to Jacqueson a few years ago. I remember walking in the vineyards, visiting the winery with its great wooden presses and the fascinating tasting I had with Jean-Harve Chiquet.

Jacqueson is a remarkable House, founded in 1798 and now based in Dizy, specialising in single vineyard and low dosage champagnes with capacity to age. The grapes for the Grand Cru Avize come from their own Chardonnay lieux-dits La Fosse, Champ Gain and Nemery. The dosage for the 1995 was 4 gms/lit and the wine was desgorged in April 2004. Its deep golden colour, biscuity nose, fine acidity and rounded, satisfying mouthfeel makes it a wine to sip, enjoy and contemplate.