Champagne Bollinger - Brut Spécial Cuvée avec étui

Bettane & Desseauve

About the domain :

A traditional Champagne house established in Aÿ since 1829, Bollinger remains at the very top of the Champagne world. Its 178-hectare vineyard of Grands Crus and Premier Crus accounts for 60% of its supply. The entire production of vintage wines is vinified in barrels, as is a small proportion of the house's multi-millennium brut, the Special Cuvée. The latter benefits from a high proportion of reserve wines kept in magnums, ensuring unrivalled precision in the blends. In recent years, the house has created some exciting new cuvées: a blanc de noir d'Aÿ from the Côte aux Enfants parcel, which also produces a superb coteau champenois. And pinot noir cuvées named after the dominant cru in the blend, which varies from year to year. All the house wines shine at the table.

Decanter

About the wine:

Bollinger non-vintage - or "Bolly", as some of its fans call it - is a consistently reliable fizz, offering biscuity, doughy aromas and flavors, accompanied by spiced apples, tangy grapefruit and an earthy finish.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

The house's brut sans année is a blend of pinot noir (60%), chardonnay (25%) and meunier, over 85% of which come from grands and 1erscrus. Discreetly floral at first, it builds in power and opens with ripe fruit. Both full-bodied and taut, it seduces with its long, aromatic finish and perfect dosage.

About the domain :

Famous house founded in 1829 by Joseph Bollinger, a merchant originally from Württemberg. It has remained a family business, although since 2008 it has been chaired by a non-family member (Charles-Armand de Belenet since 2017). With a vineyard of 179 ha, predominantly Pinot Noir (60%), and a cooperage, the company is careful to maintain its style, based on skilful blending of wines vinified separately in oak barrels (reused to avoid a dominant woodiness) and small-capacity vats. Reserve wines are kept in magnums under "petite mousse". The wines are bottled under cork and aged for a long time on their lees. Having joined the company in 2003, Gilles Descôtes took over from six cellar managers in 2013.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

We feel that this disgorgement of Spécial cuvée recaptures the energy and length we know from this wine, without denying the house style, with the patina and roundness brought by the reserve wines.

About the domain :

If ever there was a brand with a strong personality and a highly recognizable style, it's Bollinger. This family-run house from Aÿ produces wines dominated by Pinot Noir, vinous, deep and with a subtle patina. Bollinger's history is incredibly rich. A benchmark house, always taking the initiative. The quality of the older vintages bears witness to this commitment to excellence, handed down from generation to generation. The character and vinosity of these gourmet champagnes remain a benchmark.

James Suckling

About the wine:

Beautiful density and finely bubbled texture. Dried apple and apricot with hints of dried flowers. Medium to full body, with moderately rich fruit. Spices, zest and ginger. Usually 10% in barrel. 60% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay and 15% pinot meunier. Around 40% reserve wine kept in magnums. Always very well made. Drink now.

Jeb Dunnuck