Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Quality Brut Champagne

The vibrant and striking Champagnes of Ployez-Jacquemart were a welcome surprise among the many tasted in recent months. Established in 1930 and now run by third generation winemaker Laurence Ployez, the family have their own vineyards in Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages including their hometown of Ludes, Mailly-Champagne, Villedommange, and Vertus. These are supplemented with purchased grapes from longstanding contracts that have been in place for over 30 years, mainly in Grand Cru Chardonnay villages.
Winemaking is meticulous, with only first press juice used in their wines. Following fermentation in a mix of tank and barrels, wines are aged nose-to-punt, or sur pointe, in lieu of being aged on their side. This approach provides the antioxidative and aging benefits of the lees while not allowing the wines to become too rich from the lees contact. Laurence is keen to express the various sites and vintage characteristics, so while the wines are aged between 4 and 12+ years on less, use of reserve wines is limited and sometimes not used at all. Similarly dosage is minimal averaging around 3-4 grams per litre.
The standard bearer for the house, the Extra Quality Brut receives a minimum of 4 years on lees and is blended from Premier Cru and Grand Cru fruit, 60% of which is Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, the balance Chardonnay.

Ranked No. 65 in Wine Spectators Top 100 wines for 2020.

Pours with a frothy white head that slowly subsides to reveal a pale straw coloured base with pale gold edgings that has a fine steady bead flowing through it. Enticing baked bread, vegemite like yeast lees and citrus aromatics merge with some toasty notes, almond and smoky minerals. The palate shows good weight and richness yet is quite racy and vibrant in its feel. Citrus and yeast lees flavours combine over subtle baked bread nuances, light toast and minerals. Dry chalky finish with tense acidity and a lengthy aftertaste.
Drink over the next 4-5 years.
Alc. 12%

Other Reviews…..
A lovely hint of honeysuckle accents the flavors of mirabelle plum, white cherry, anise and grated ginger in this vibrant Champagne, which is finely knit and detailed in texture, with a mouthwatering finish of ripe fruit, spice and chalk accents. Disgorged November 2019. Drink now through 2025.
92 points
Wine Spectator