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.

89

Neal Martin

Vinous

We commence with the fail-safe choice of sparkler, the NV Bollinger Special Cuvée. The nose is well defined with forward, bready and slightly nutty. The palate has an irresistible fatness that those who like razor-sharp champagne might turn their nose up at, yet I enjoy its almost sensual texture and the lack of pretension. 06/2022

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+

Audrey Frick

Jeb Dunnuck

The NV Champagne Special Cuvée (60% Pinot Noir and based on the 2021 harvest) pours a bright yellow/silver hue on opening and reveals a fresh and actually more mineral-driven profile on the nose than I was expecting, revealing layers of fresh raspberries, brioche, wet stone, and orange blossoms. The palate is medium to full-bodied and classically rounded, as you would come to expect from this house, but it retains good tension and a silky, chalky texture, with an ultra-fine mousse, salinity in its notes of grapefruit zest and almond, and a creamy texture through the finish. It’s very well-styled and is going to drink well over the next 10 years. They always try to have 8-10 vintages the blend, the oldest being 18 years (15 years when it goes into the bottle). 8 grams per liter dosage. 12/2024

93

James Suckling

James Suckling

A polished palate of fine bubbles with pears, light bread dough and caramel undertones. Medium-bodied with pretty toasted-oak and vanilla flavors. Refined finish. Touch of quince and grapefruit with dried apples. Base wine 2021 plus nine different vintages. A blend of 61% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 14% pinot meunier. Drink now. 07/2025