Jacquesson Cuvee 744 Extra Brut Champagne
Product Information
Country France
Region Champagne
Grape Variety 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier
ABV 12.5%
Buy Jacquesson Cuvée 744 Extra Brut
The Jacquesson Cuvée 744 Extra Brut represents the pinnacle of the Chiquet brothers' "700 Series" philosophy. Unlike traditional non-vintage Champagnes that strive for year-to-year consistency, the 744 is a transparent expression of a single growing season, the remarkable 2016 vintage, enhanced by a curated selection of reserve wines.
The 2016 Vintage: A Story of Resilience and Precision
While other iterations like the 743 (2015 base) were defined by solar intensity, the Jacquesson 744 is celebrated for its tension and "pillowy" seamlessness. The 2016 growing season was a technical challenge, featuring a rainy spring followed by a hot, dry summer that produced perfectly healthy, ripe grapes.
• Base Year: 2016 (70% of the blend).
• Composition: 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 20% Pinot Meunier.
• Terroir: Sourced from Grand and Premier Cru plots in Aÿ, Dizy, Hautvillers (55%), and Avize and Oiry (45%).
• Dosage: An ultra-low 0.75 g/L, maintaining its Extra Brut status and crystalline purity.
Why Wine Connoisseurs Choose Cuvée 744
Jacquesson is one of the most elite houses in Champagne, with a production size only slightly larger than Salon. Every bottle of Cuvée 744 undergoes vinification in large oak barrels with no filtration, a method that adds a distinctive textural presence and subtle oxidative complexity.
Comparing 744 to 743 and 745
Critics have noted that the 744 offers a more "vivid" and "sapid" profile than the 743. While the upcoming 745 (2017 base) is described as savoury and mineral, the 744 strikes a rare balance between linear acidity and a rounded, creamy mid-palate, making it approachable now but capable of aging through 2035.
Critical Acclaim & Tasting Notes
The Jacquesson Cuvée No. 744 has received exceptional scores from the world's leading wine critics:
• William Kelley (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate) – 94/100: "Exhibiting complex aromas of orange oil, crisp stone fruit, fenugreek and subtle hints of yellow Chartreuse... medium to full-bodied, pillowy and seamless."
• La Revue du Vin de France – 94/100: Ranked at the "summit" of their blind tasting, praising its "magnificent intensity of flavours" and "vinous and energetic palate."
• John Gilman (View From the Cellar) – 93/100: Noted its "sophisticated blend of apple, fresh-baked bread, and upper register smokiness."
• James Suckling – 93/100: Described it as "tangy and intense... with apricots and biscuits and orange-like acidity."
Technical Specifications
Disgorgement Date: January / February 2021
Lees Aging: 36+ Months
Alcohol Content: 12.50% Vol
Serving Temp: 6 - 8 °C
Pairing Ideas: Steak frites, roasted white meats, or premium shellfish like lobster
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is Jacquesson 744 a vintage Champagne?
A. Strictly speaking, it is a "multi-vintage" blend, but it is heavily dominated by the 2016 harvest (70%) to showcase that specific year's character.
Q. How long can I cellar Cuvée 744?
A. While it is "very drinkable now," the 744 has the structure to evolve gracefully in a cellar until 2035 and beyond.
Q. What makes Jacquesson different from other Champagne houses?
A. Jacquesson was the first to replace the "consistent" non-vintage blend with a numbered series that prioritizes the quality of the base harvest, treating every release as a unique event.
