Champagne Jean Vesselle L'Expression Brut Nature

Alcohol: 12%

Grapes: 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay

Localization: Bouzy, Champagne, France

Tasting Notes: Exuberant and lively on the tongue, with citrus rind, crushed stones, green apples, spring flowers, and red berry notes.  The Vesselle you'll love - vinuous, textured, deep, mineral - without a single gram of sugar.  Less is more could be more apt for this non-dosé stunner.

Notes: A new wine for this 300-year-old estate, a non-dosage version of their peerless, Pinot Noir-based Brut Reserve — and what an 'expression' of nature it is! 80% Pinto Noir, 20% Chardonnay, hand-harvested, then fermented on indigenous yeasts in stainless steel tanks. Aged for three years in bottle and finished with zero dosage.

Food pairing: As an aperitif, with cheeses like Brillat-Savarin, Comté, or Gruyère. Perfect with seafood.

The Domain: Delphine Vesselle is a perfect example of what the next generation of winemakers in Champagne (or France, for that matter) is capable. Trained both in France and in South Africa and Australia, Delphine is steeped in both modern techniques and family tradition. The ancient family estate (more than 300 years old) is located in the Cote de Noirs town of Bouzy, most famous for its powerful Pinot Noir wines. Her wines have a classic Bouzy signature, but also show impressive finesse and grace.

After the death of her father, Jean Vesselle, in 1996, Delphine has preserved his memory by continuing the family tradition of making outstanding Champagne. She told us that she "tries hard every day to honor his confidence by working towards quality and respect for the wine, with passion and dedication."

The family wines hail from two vineyards which they own. Their vine holdings are 90% Pinot Noir (much of which grows on mineral-rich Kimmeridgian soil) and 10% Chardonnay.