Selosse Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne V.O. NV

98 points James Suckling: "Burnt butter, creme brulee and caramel, dried apricots, bread dough, bread crust, biscuit and dried peaches. More mineral than other bottlings from this producer, this full-bodied Champagne nevertheless packs in so much concentration and depth. Amazing, burnt-caramel and white-stone undertones, reminiscent of fino Sherry. Very long indeed. Drink now or hold. Disgorged 26th October 2018. (12/3/19)"

96 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "For my taste, the NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru V.O. Version Originale (base 2014) is the star of this flight. Power, breadth and energy all come together in a V.O. that delivers the goods, big time. White pepper, crushed flowers and a whole range of mineral-driven accents lift the fruit in a V.O. that sizzles with tension. Superb. Disgorged: January 8, 2020. Drink: 2025-2035. (Jun 2023)"

96 points Tyson Stelzer The Champagne Guide: "(Avize, Cramant and Oger; vinified in oak barrels; aged 3.5-4 years on lees; zero dosage; 3600 bottles). Selosse's Version Originale is a full golden yellow hue, with such bombastic complexity that it resembles mature white Burgundy as much as it does champagne. Remarkable ripe intensity transcends Côte des Blancs chardonnay in its panoply of flavours of plum, dried fruit, baked peach, fig, honey, savoury spice and citrus zest. The pronounced structure swoops in on the finish, with well-defined acidity drawing the finish out long and true. The mineral presence on show here is of dramatic proportions, with the deep-set, salty mineral texture of Avize penetrating deep into the back-palate."

96 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "All the 2019 disgorgements of Selosse's emblematic Blanc de Blancs cuvées are brilliant, and revisiting the November 2019 disgorgment of the NV Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru V. O. (Version Originale), I clearly underrated this wine on release. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dried fruits, citrus oil, toasted nuts, drawn butter, yellow orchard fruit, clear honey and fenugreek, it's medium to full-bodied, broad and vinous, with terrific concentration allied with excellent tension. In fact, if this disgorgement stands out, it's for its especially notable cut and precision. Concluding with a long, sapid finish, it's a bottle that doesn't survive very long after opening in our household. Drink: 2021-2035. (11/10/22)"

95 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Venu de coteaux de plus 15% d'Avize, Cramant et Oger, alliant trois annees successives, Version Originale (degorge le 28 mai 2020) livre un bouquet unique combinant une intense oxydation menagee avec des tonalites florales, d'amande et de craie. With still phenomenal strength on the palate, it will be good to hold it for another year to take full advantage of its panache and salty baroque vinosity sculpted by flavors as disconcerting as they are obvious. Promises to develop further for more than fifteen years. (2022)"

95 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This most recent bottle of Les Carelles Blanc de Blancs was disgorged in February of 2016 and would have hailed from the base year of 2008, though, of course, now with a solera of reserve wines included dating back to either 2004 or 2002. It is drinking brilliantly today, but it is still in climbing mode and will be even better with another four or five years in the cellar. Today, the wine delivers a superb aromatic constellation of pear, apple, hazelnut, a very complex base of chalky soil tones, a touch of crème patissière, a deft foundation of buttery oak and a topnote of citrus zest. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully structured, with a rock solid core of fruit, superb focus and grip, refined mousse and a very long, very pure and vibrant finish. Outstanding juice. 2019-2060. (Jul/Aug 2019)"