Selosse Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Version Initial NV

97 points James Suckling: "Very pronounced and wonderfully complex nose of persimmon, egg yolk, cinnamon, tarte tatin, caramel, mango pastry, apricot tart and spice box. The full-bodied palate feathers a fine line between sheer power, luscious dried fruit and laser-guided acidity. Very long and intense on the finish. Drink now or hold. Disgorged 13 November 2018. (9/2/19)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "Reminiscent of aged white Burgundy, this shows a rich panoply of quince paste, shortbread and honeycomb accented by white truffle, licorice root and chamomile tea. The fine bead melts like flakes of fleur de sel on the palate, working with the mandarin orange peel acidity to sculpt this rich, focused Champagne. Fascinating. Disgorged May 2021. Drink now through 2033. (3/31/23)"

95 points Decanter.

94 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(disgorged July 2018; Chardonnay from three successive vintages from Avize, Cramant and Oger; 33,000 bottles each year). ‘Initial’ accounts for more than 50% of Selosse’s production, yet such is its variability that I find my impressions varying widely according to the level of oxidative degradation in each bottle. This bottle, purchased at his restaurant, was on form. The mineral tension of Avize, Cramant and Oger meet the full fanfare of barrel fermentation. This is a powerful cuvée of full yellow hue with a gold tint. The tension of grand cru structure defines a focused acid line that drives a long finish amidst the poached nectarines and mirabelle plums commensurate with the proportions of ripe chardonnay. Toasty oak is prominent amid the burnt-orange notes of oxidative development. It finishes long and generous, framed by the signature salt minerality of Avize. (2020-2021)"

94 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The NV Initial, a blend of vintages 2015, 2014 and 2013, is quite powerful and vinous. Orange peel, lemon confit, hazelnut, chamomile, licorice and dried flowers are all amplified in this dramatic, large-scaled edition of Initial. What a way to start this tasting! Disgorged: May 12, 2021. Drink: 2023-2033. (Nov 2021)"

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "...This is a beautifully classic and refined example, soaring from the glass in a pure and youthful aromatic blend of pear, white peach, chalky soil tones, a touch of tangerine, spring flowers and vanillin oak. This is very floral in personality... On the palate the wine is pure class, with its full-bodied and seamless format presenting excellent depth at the core, refined, pinpoint bubbles, lovely focus and nascent complexity and a very long, minerally and elegant finish. This is very, very easy to drink today, but again, patience will be rewarded with an even more beautiful bottle! 2020-2045. (Jul/Aug 2019)"

94 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Disgorged in May 2021, the latest rendition of Selosse's NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Initial is showing beautifully, unwinding in the glass with aromas of pear, dried fruits, confit lemon, fenugreek, fresh bread and toasted almonds. Full-bodied, vinous and complex, it's a rich, fleshy Champagne that's underpinned by bright acids and complemented by a pinpoint mousse, concluding with a long, sapid finish. As usual, this bottling derives from the lower-altitude slopes of Avize, Cramant and Oger, where the soils are richer in clay and yields are higher when compared with the vineyards that inform V. O. Drink: 2021-2035. (Jan 2022)"