Bollinger, Special Cuvee Champagne NV, [Pre-Arrival]

95 points Decanter
"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 Cuvée 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."

93 points Wine Spectator
"Fine and seamless, with mouthwatering acidity well-meshed with a rich range of crème de cassis, poached apricot, gingerbread and almond extract flavors, plus accents of fleur de sel, Meyer lemon peel and star anise. Long and lively on the creamy finish."

93 points 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.

93 points Jeb Dunnuck
"A rich though youthful golden hue, the NV Champagne Special Cuvee Brut is classic and ripe with lush, rounded, and complex aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, and black cherry. Made with 45% of the wine coming from the 2019 vintage, with 55% reserve wine, it’s full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel and just a hint of warmth on the finish. The mousse is refined and rounded. Long on the palate, it's inviting now but will have plenty of life ahead of it if stored property. This exceptional cuvee with its distinctive personality continues to be one of the best entry wines to the range from this house and is a benchmark wine for them."

Jancis Robinson
"60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier grown in chalk soil from 179 hectares of top-rated vineyards. The grapes undergo a gentle and slow pressing followed by fermentation, partly in oak casks. Special Cuvée is the result of blending between harvest grapes and reserve wines in magnums, some aged for more than 15 years. The wine matures for at least three years in bottle. Winemaker Gilles Descôtes. TA 4.5 g/l, pH 3.1, RS 10.8 g/l. Bottle weight 1,700 g. L2203168.
Look out for that lot code, as this is a particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger, almost certainly improved with the bottling in magnum. Very fine texture, quite deeply coloured, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes on the palate. Great length – a lovely example. 17/20 points. (AWH)"

Vinous Reverie Notes
The delicate assembly of the expression of a harvest and a majority of reserve wines, some of them held in magnums for between 7 and 15 years. Special Cuvée is composed of over 85% Grand and Premier crus of the three main Champagne varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Meunier. It is cellar aged for twice as long as required by appellation regulations. It is moderately dosed at between 7 and 8 grams per litre. Tasting Notes: A golden color, distinctive of red grape varieties. Very fine bubbles. On the nose, it has a beautiful aromatic complexity, ripe fruit, and spicy aromas, with hints of roasted apples, apple compote, and peaches. On the palate, there is a subtle combination of structure, length, and vivacity. The bubbles are like velvet. Flavors of pear, brioche and spicy aromas, notes of fresh walnut.