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White - Sparkling

N.V. Jacques Selosse Initial

Chardonnay

  • France
  • Champagne
  • Champagne Grand Cru
Drink between 2015 - 2023 (Edit)
CT93.1 1171 reviews
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Community Tasting Notes 969

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  • csimm1161 wrote: 95 points

    March 25, 2023 - At Restaurant After Seven, Backstage Hotel, Zermatt, Switzerland.

    Disgorged November 14, 2019.

    I admittedly have a cozy little soft spot in my otherwise vapid heart for the Selosse Initial. Of course, I should have backed the truck up way before "The Insanity" happened, a couple-few years ago when the price of these wasn't through the roof (that was back when I could get Cedric Bouchard VV for like $65). I know, I know... Back when we walked uphill both ways to school in the snow and Harlan could be bought for a shiny 50-cent piece. Anyway, current sticker-shock aside, the Initial is always able to carve a nicely groomed corduroy (winter sporting in Zermatt clearly necessitated the use of a skiing term) between savory and shine.

    Bruised lemon and ginger notes con you into thinking the Initial will veer into a more oxidative style, but saline and citrus zest flavors play pick-me-up on the palate and elevate the delivery into a fresher spectrum. Complexity comes with air, as yellow apple skin, unripe apricot, limestone, almond slivers, and sea spray seasonings add piquancy and vigor to the profile.

    An outstanding food wine that was able to span across a plethora of fantastic meals. Add to the fact that this bottle was on the restaurant wine list for $250CHF, which is insanely "reasonable" all things considering, it made for a thumbs-up experience all the way around. 94-95 points for this bottle. I might be adding an extra point here just cuz of the whole Zermatt thing. Deduct a point if you're drinking a bottle of this in Somalia or Syria.

    2 people found this helpful Comments (6)

  • Peter Spijker Likes this wine: 93 points

    March 19, 2023 - Didn't note the disgorgement date, but found this to be quite oxidative (in a good way), with apricot, fine mousse, baked red apple, some orange and a persistent length. I prefer a fresher style over this, but it was great nonetheless.

    1 person found this helpful Comment

  • Xavier Auerbach wrote: 94 points

    March 6, 2023 - A private dinner with friends (Restaurant Bar du Champagne, Amsterdam, NL): Disgorged 13 April 2021. Much lighter pitch than the VO which accompanied it, floral rather than nutty but the power and concentration are similar, wonderful lift, vinous and elegant, very good resonance and length.

    1 person found this helpful Comment

  • drwine2001 wrote:

    February 12, 2023 - August, 2016 disgorgement. Burnished yellow, initially frothy. Autolytic tones and ginger on the nose without any oxidative notes. Fabulous creamy feel with flavors of bitter citrus and herb that finish in a rush of acidity and soil. Flat out great bottle and, for me, at a perfect point.

    Comment

  • R.H. Likes this wine:

    February 12, 2023 - this was humming. very good, better with an hour of air. corkage for Joe's dinner

    Comment
1 - 5 of 969 More notes

Pro Reviews 61

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Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    The 2022 Champagne New Releases (May 2022), 5/1/2022 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra-Brut Initial Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    The 2022 Champagne New Releases (May 2022), 5/1/2022 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra-Brut Initial Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: 2021 New Releases (Nov 2021), 11/1/2021 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra-Brut Initial (2015) Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: 2020 New Releases (Nov 2020), 11/1/2020 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra-Brut Initial (2014) Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

JamesSuckling.com

  • By James Suckling
    7/10/2019 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Brut Initial, Sparkling, France) Subscribe to see review text.

View From the Cellar

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse (disgorged January 2016)) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse (disgorged July 2004)) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2019, Issue #82, Champagne Jacques Selosse Crafting the Cultural Revolution In the Heart of Avize

    (NV Brut Initial Blanc de Blancs NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    The 2019 Champagne Summer Preview (Jul 2019), 7/1/2019 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra-brut Initial (2013) Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

  • By Jancis Robinson, MW
    6/4/2019 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse, Initial Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text.

Decanter

  • By John Stimpfig
    Champagne vs English Fizz, 11/22/2018 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse, Initial Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France, White) Subscribe to see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

  • By Jancis Robinson, MW
    11/22/2018 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse, Initial Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru ampagne White) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: The 2018 Summer Preview (Jul 2018), 7/1/2018 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra Brut Initial Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

JamesSuckling.com

  • By James Suckling
    7/13/2017 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Champagne Brut Initial, Sparkling, France) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: The 2017 Summer Preview (Jul 2017), 7/1/2017 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Selosse – Lieux-Dits Dinner at NoMad (Jul 2017), 7/1/2017 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra Brut Initial Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text.

Champagne Warrior

  • By Brad Baker
    March 2017, Issue #22, Champagne Tasting Notes

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: The 2016 Summer Preview (Aug 2016), 8/1/2016 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Extra-brut Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne’s Golden Age (Nov 2015), 11/1/2015 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

View From the Cellar

  • By John Gilman
    May/Jun 2015, Issue #57, The June 2015 Champagne and Sparkling Wine Report Tales From Two Weeks In the Region in April

    (NV Jacques Selosse “Initial” Blanc de Blancs Brut NV (Avize) Disgorged July 2012) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Vinous Table: California Classics at Bar Boulud, New York (Jan 2015), 1/1/2015 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Vinous Table: California Classics at Bar Boulud, New York (Jan 2015), 1/1/2015 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: The Season’s New Releases (Nov 2014), 11/1/2014 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Josh Raynolds
    The Season’s Best NV Champagne Releases (Jan 2015), 1/1/2014 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Josh Raynolds
    Dec-13, IWC Issue #10167, 12/1/2013 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne – A Wine For All Seasons (Nov 2013) (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

View From the Cellar

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2013, Issue #46, The Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Report Summer of 2013

    (NV Brut Initial NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse (disgorged 2012)) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2013, Issue #46, The Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Report Summer of 2013

    (NV Brut Initial NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse (disgorged 2011?)) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2013, Issue #46, The Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Report Summer of 2013

    (NV Brut Initial NV- Champagne Jacques Selosse (disgorged 2003)) Subscribe to see review text.

Champagne Warrior

  • By Brad Baker
    May 2013, Issue #16, Champagne Tasting Notes

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale) Subscribe to see review text.

JancisRobinson.com

  • By Julia Harding, MW
    3/21/2013 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse, Initial Blanc de Blancs Brut Grand Cru Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Josh Raynolds
    November 2012 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: So Much More Than a Celebration Wine (Oct 2012) (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

View From the Cellar

  • By John Gilman
    Jul/Aug 2012, Issue #40, The Annual Champagne and Sparkling Wine Report

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial Brut NV (2010 Release)) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    New Releases from Champagne (Dec 2011) (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

Champagne Warrior

  • By Brad Baker
    September 2011, Issue #12, Non-Vintage Champagne: Drink It When You Like It

    (NV Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Initiale) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Josh Raynolds
    December 2010 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Josh Raynolds
    Dec-10, IWC Issue #20101, 12/1/2010 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    New Releases from Champagne (Dec 2010) (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

Champagne Warrior

  • By Brad Baker
    February 2010, Issue #5, Tasting Notes/Wine Reviews

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Initiale) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Josh Raynolds
    December 2009 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Antonio Galloni
    Champagne: The Last Frontier (Dec 2009) (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Blanc De Blancs Grand Cru Initial) Subscribe to see review text.

Champagne Warrior

  • By Brad Baker
    January 2009, Issue #1, Tasting Notes of Champagne and Sparkling Wines

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Initiale Blanc de Blancs) Subscribe to see review text.

Vinous

  • By Antonio Galloni
    New Releases from Champagne (Dec 2008) (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Brut Blanc De Blancs Initiale) Subscribe to see review text.

  • By Josh Raynolds
    November 2008 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initiale Blanc de Blancs Brut) Subscribe to see review text.

ChampagneGuide.net

  • By Peter Liem
    (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru (base 2004)) Subscribe to see review text.

RJonWine.com

  • By Richard Jennings
    9/23/2013 (link) 93 points

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Light golden color with steady, tiny bubbles; oxidative, manzanilla, vaguely smoky nose; tasty, elegant, tart lemon, oxidative, mineral palate; long finish (based on '06, '05 & '04 vintages)

  • By Richard Jennings
    3/2/2013 (link) 91 points

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Light golden yellow color with few, steady, tiny bubbles; oxidative, fino sherry, oxidized apple, toasted almond, light honeysuckle nose; tight, fino sherry, very tart apple, mineral palate with steely, medium-plus acidity; medium-plus finish 91+ points (disgorged 12/1/11; great pairing with smoked salmon and other smoked fish)

  • By Richard Jennings
    12/2/2012 (link) 93 points

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Light lemon yellow color with abundant tiny bubbles; lightly oxidized apple, chalk, mineral nose; tasty, tart apple, tart lemon, mineral palate with scintillating acidity; medium-plus finish (disgorged April 24, 2012)

  • By Richard Jennings
    12/17/2011 (link) 94 points

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Light golden yellow color; lightly oxidized, rock salt, baked lemon, tart apple nose; tasty, light footed, rock salt, very minerally, quinine, very tart apple palate; medium-plus finish

  • By Richard Jennings
    3/15/2010 (link) 94 points

    (NV Jacques Selosse Initial) Light golden yellow color; intriguing nose, a little oxidative, very tart kumquat, lemon peel, hazelnut nose; nutty, sherried, tart lemon, mineral palate with depth and grip, and a ginger note that develops with air; long finish

Sommelier Journal

  • By Alfonso Cevola, CSW
    December 2009 (link)

    (NV Jacques Selosse Blanc de Blancs Brut Initiale, Champagne, France) This classic Blanc de Blancs is hands down the most memorable white wine I have tried this year. Not knowing what to expect, I discovered depth and power. I am still reeling from the finish, so delicate yet persistent, without becoming rapacious. As a personal indulgence for special moments—birthdays or holidays, with family and friends—this is a perfect choice. The wine is assembled from three vintages and aged two years before disgorgement. Sommelier's Choice: Top Releases of 2009

Wine Definition

  • Vintage N.V.
  • Type White - Sparkling
  • Producer Jacques Selosse
  • Varietal Chardonnay
  • Designation Initial
  • Vineyard n/a
  • Country France
  • Region Champagne
  • SubRegion n/a
  • Appellation Champagne Grand Cru
  • UPC Codes 000004751007, 055804617503, 7350075500015, 7350075500039

Community Holdings

  • Pending Delivery 372 (3%)
  • In Cellars 6,023 (45%)
  • Consumed 7,023 (52%)

Food Pairing

Community Recommendations

Asian style beef tartar, ceviche, corn-fed chicken with morel risotto and tarragon sauce, crab, Crab sticks 4 ways (mustard, farro and asparagus, lobster, mozzarella and parmesan) on Joey's baguette (Robuchon), scallops, seared scallops

Who Likes This Wine

99% Like It  248 votes

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