91

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The NV Brut Special Cuvée is fabulous. Hints of pears, pastry crust and hazelnut lead to an expansive core of fruit. There is plenty of the signature Bollinger oxidative style in this rich, enveloping Champagne. Once again the Special Cuvée is one of the best Champagnes in its price range. This is Lot L114501. Disgorged April 26, 2011.

90

Josh Raynolds

Vinous

(60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier; 8 g/l dosage; L1403801): Pale yellow. Toasty aromas of apple and pear nectar are complemented by hints of toffee, honey and orange zest. Full and expansive on the palate, offering ripe orchard and pit fruit flavors and an undercurrent of smoky minerals and buttered toast. Smooth and gently spicy on the clinging, nicely focusd finish. 01/2015

87

Richard Juhlin

Richard Juhlin

Again one of my absolute favorites among the standard champagnes. Since the beginning of the nineties, the wine is four years old and vinified on steel tanks. It's still fascinating to see how much twelve percent old reserve wines vinified in oak barrels and then stored in magnum bottles, do to lift the wine. The oaky smoky and deep Bollinger style develops after a couple of years in the bottle. Superb right now after a small slump between 2002-2014. 04/2024

92

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Like its rosé counterpart, the latest release of Bollinger's NV Brut Special Cuvée is showing especially well, bursting from the glass with aromas of honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and vinous, with a deep core of beautifully ripe fruit, racy acids and a pillowy mousse, it's a charming, characterful wine that proves that Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs. 08/2022

93

James Suckling

James Suckling

Lovely density and a fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot with hints of dried flowers. Medium to full body. with medium-rich fruit. Spice, zest and ginger character. Usually 10% in barrel. 60% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier. About 40% reserve wine kept in magnums. Always really well done. Drink now. 08/2023