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Bollinger Spécial Cuvée Non Vintage

RegionChampagne
Subregion France > Champagne
ColourWhite
TypeSparkling

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Tasting Notes

Bollinger's NV Brut Special Cuvée is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier, and the grapes are mostly (more than 85%) sourced in Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages. The majority of the Special Cuvée is reserve wines, part of which have been aged in magnums for five to 15 years. The disgorgement I tasted in May 2018 displays an intense golden-citrus color and has a refreshing, concentrated bouquet of citrus fruits, sweet cherries, ripe apples, white flowers, toast, walnuts, ripe apricots and peaches, with just a touch of brioche. On the palate, this is an intense, very elegant and refined cuvée with a very long, refreshing, intense, aromatic and salty finish. This is an excellent Champagne with a beautiful chalky texture in the aftertaste. (Tasted from lot L1711802 in May 2018.) 2018 - 2030

92
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate (237), June 2018

This wine opens with elegant, well-delineated aromas of honey, brioche, roasted nuts, orange zest, flowers and peaches, of which appear on the palate in a classy, finessed expression of the house style. This is an especially refined and delicious NV Champagne. The Special Cuvee is roughly 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier (2004, 2003) sourced from a variety of vineyards. Bollinger adds 5-10% of reserve wines (in this case from 1995 and 1996, aged in magnums) which gives this offering its lovely complexity. The dosage is 7-9 grams per liter. This is Lot: 807704, disgorged towards the end of 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2012.

90
Robert Parker, RobertParker.com (180), December 2008

**Note: 60% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay, 15% pinot meunier, 9 g/l**
There is lovely complexity to the distinctly yeasty nose that combines high-toned green apple, pear, white flowers and gentle citrus nuances. The clean and sleek flavors are supported by a crisply firm but fine mousse where the finish is medium dry and lingering. It's not all that often that I suggest that readers cellar NV Brut but this is an example that absolutely cries out for it. I suspect that the texture will materially change for the better (i.e. become creamier) and better depth will be in the offing as well. Put it this way: this is a perfectly good Champagne right now but with 4 to 7 years of bottle age it could be first-rate and I would suggest buying it only if you're going to cellar it for at least a few years first. Note further that my rating assumes that the wine will be cellared.

93
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (57), January 2015

Exudes honey, with richness and a supple texture. Peach, biscuit and dried orange peel notes add complexity and the wine glides to a long, lingering aftertaste of honey and brioche. Drink now through 2010.

93
Bruce Sanderson, WineSpectator.com, December 2007

Trademark Bollinger complexity with apples, brioche and grapefruit in a very subtly reductive style. The palate is super fine, even and elegant with a refreshing lemon, lime, light-berry and apple-brioche finish. Drink now.

92
James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com, September 2018

Pinker than most. Intense, still young but powerful nose. Tight knit, youthful, still apple skins. Best kept awhile. Drink 2009-2011. Date tasted 24th June 08.

16.5+
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, June 2008
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89
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (96), December 1994

Complex aromas and flavors of rose, grilled nuts, citrus and a gently oxidative note course through this muscular, full-bodied bubbly. Despite its power, there's a gracefulness. The aftertase combines citrus and spice. Drink now through 2008.

93
James Suckling, WineSpectator.com, November 2004
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.