Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne

SKU #100041 93 points Wine Spectator

Very elegant and refined in texture, with fresh, focused acidity finding fine integration with the layered notes of patisserie apple, black currant, smoky mineral and biscuit, complimented by hints of lemon zest and honey. Lingering finish. Drink now through 2020. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. (12/ 2012)

92 points Wine & Spirits

Finely balanced between fruit and minerality, this layers tart red fruit, crème caramel and juicy pear in a long chalk line of flavor. It's fresh and bright on one level, rich and sumptuous underneath—a brilliant blend that would fit any occasion. (12/ 2012)

92 points Wine Enthusiast

The classic Bollinger nonvintage is, as always, rich and firmly structured. With the roundness that comes from aging the wines in wood before blending, it has a ripe, smooth edge. Underneath, the texture is solid, with hints of apple and pear and mature acidity. (12/ 2012)

91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The NV Brut Special Cuvee 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 Cuvee is one of the best Champagnes in its price range. This is Lot L114501. Disgorged April 26, 2011. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2015. Bollinger is of course one of the great names in Champagne. The Special Cuvee is typically one of my favorite wines in its price range...Bollinger is unique among Champagne houses in that the reserve wines are all bottled in magnum and with natural cork, a huge, labor-intensive effort. (11/ 2011)

91 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar

Bright yellow. A complex bouquet evokes poached pear, Meyer lemon, chalky minerals and toasty lees. Fleshy pear and honey flavors show very good depth, picking up refreshing citrus pith and mineral nuances with air. Rich but energetic, with strong finishing cut and lingering spiciness. (12/ 2012)

K&L Notes

A Pinot Noir-dominated blend that always includes a generous proportion of reserve wines. The biggest and boldest of the big house non-vintages, this is still made from mostly estate fruit. All of the reserve wines are aged in magnums under natural cork, and a large percentage of the fruit is still barrel fermented. In an age where a lot of the big houses are concentrating more on marketing and less on the product, Bollinger continues their tradition of quality. (Gary Westby, K&L Champagne Buyer)