Tech Notes
Wine Details
Decanter
Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Spectator
James Suckling
Burghound
International Wine Review
Wine Advocate
WTSO Member Rating: 93 Points
By Champagne Bollinger
Special Cuvee
History
It was British agent Georges Bollinger who, in 1911, christened this "Special Cuvee," as he found the expression "non-vintage brut" did not befit a Champagne of such subtlety. Over a century later, the name emblematic of Bollinger's expertise still encapsulates its entire history.
Assembly
Special Cuvee is a precise blend of several harvests and reserve wines, composed of over 85% Grands and Premiers Crus. It is cellar-aged for twice the time required by appellation regulations. It is moderately dosed, between 7 and 8 grams per liter.
Blend
60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
Tasting Notes
A golden color, distinctive of black grape varieties; very fine bubbles. A beautiful aromatic complexity. Ripe fruit and spicy aromas; hints of roasted apples, compote, and peaches on the nose. A subtle combination of structure, length, and vivacity. Bubbles like velvet. Pear, brioche, and spicy aromas, with notes of fresh walnut.
Service
Special Cuvee is perfect for sharing among friends for a simple and meaningful moment. It is the Champagne we give to the people we love and who love nice things. This wine is best served between 8 and 10 degrees C to enhance its unique style, bouquet, and aromas. You can enjoy Special Cuvee immediately or age it in your cellar.
[Information provided by Champagne Bollinger]
Region:
Champagne
Vintage:
N/V
Grape:
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier
Country:
France
Unit Size:
750.00 ML
Alcohol Percentage:
12.00
Appellation:
Champagne
Wine: Bollinger, Special Cuvee, Champagne, France NV
Score/Rating: 95
Suggested Drinking Window: 2022 - 2032
Review Date: 12/26/2022
Reviewed By: Brianne Cohen
Tasting Notes: If it's good enough for James Bond, it's good enough for you. Bollinger Champagne has made a number of cameos in James Bond films over the year. This non-vintage Special Cuvee is an example of a classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan on the nose and the palate give toastiness and leesy notes, specifically sourdough. It's classic for a reason and would only elevate any table it finds itself on.
Wine: NV Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvee
Score/Rating: 93+
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024 - 2035
Review Date: 12/20/2024
Reviewed By: Audrey Frick
Tasting Notes: The NV Champagne Special Cuvee (60% Pinot Noir [...]) 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. [...]
Wine: Bollinger Brut Champagne Special Cuvee NV
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: Now through 2035
Review Date: 11/30/2025
Reviewed By: Alison Napjus
Tasting Notes: A vibrant, graceful Champagne that shows fine definition and integration, with a mouthwatering frame of acidity. The persistent, lacy mousse is enmeshed with an appealing range of ripe and juicy black cherry and boysenberry fruit, blood orange granita, candied ginger and chopped almond flavors. Long and well-spiced on the chalky finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Drink now through 2035.
Wine: Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvee Brut
Score/Rating: 93
Review Date: 07/18/2025
Reviewed By: James Suckling
Tasting Notes: 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. [...]. A blend of [...] Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and [...] Pinot Meunier. Drink now.
Wine: Bollinger -NV- Brut - Special Cuvee
Score/Rating: 93
Suggested Drinking Window: 2024+
Review Date: 01/10/2022
Reviewed By: Allen Meadows
Tasting Notes: Restrained and very pretty aromas include those of yeast, Meyer lemon, petrol and green apple where the latter element is picked up by the utterly delicious, vibrant and detailed flavors that possess fine complexity on the agreeably dry but not austere finish. The supporting mousse is dense but fine and overall, this is a wine that could be enjoyed now or held for up to a decade. Excellent.
Wine: Bollinger [NV] Special Cuvee Brut Champagne
Score/Rating: 92
Review Date: 12/11/2025
Reviewed By: Joel Butler
Tasting Notes: Pale gold with a hint of green. Very fresh floral, leesy-toasty aromas followed by currant notes. A lovely wine, vibrant and fresh with clear Pinot Noir focus. More refined and “airy” than previous releases of this Champagne. 60% Pinot Noir, [...] Chardonnay 15% Meunier [...] JB
Wine: NV Bollinger Brut Special Cuvee
Score/Rating: 92
Suggested Drinking Window: 2021 - 2035
Review Date: 08/31/2022
Reviewed By: William Kelley
Tasting Notes: Like its rose counterpart, the latest release of Bollinger's NV Brut Special Cuvee 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 Cuvee is firmly back where it belongs.
Our members gave this wine an average score of 93 points! Help share your wine experience by rating bottles in your Cellar to add your personal review, notes, and ratings.
