Ed Chin

9.2

Not the most complex but the persistent finish was a nice surprise. — 17 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Another excellent vintage of “Second Label Sassacaia.” Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (40%). Aromas of black fruit, baking spices and cedar wood. Flavors of black cherries and currants, woody herbs, black licorice and those sweet baking spices. Long finish highlighted by beautiful freshness. Well softened tannins, bright acidity and a silky texture. Simply elegant and at its peak. Part of a June 2026 KZ Tasting. — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Golden yellow. Floral aroma. Gentle. brioche chalk. Fruity with apple and its compote. Meunière 60 Chardonnay 30 Pinot 10 Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M+ Bitterness M Body M Finish M
Fresh Laherte Frères Untraditional Brut Champagne Blend @3300/G, G5, 260203 — 6 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

A killer Cornas. Needs a lot more time. — 8 months ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

8.9

Beautiful #andersonvalley #sparkling wine that punches a good deal higher than its price class. Apple, lemon, touch of toast towards the finish - the $60 bottle price at a casually upscale restaurant in Frisco / Plano represents great QPR. — a year ago

John Willison

9.2

Tropical fruit dragged through the garden. — 3 years ago

KRISTIE

9.6

Inspired by the “Apotheca”, a mysterious place where some of the earliest wine was blended and stored, Apothic wines offers a truly unique wine experience.

A red blend emerges from the flames, creating a most unexpected and masterful encounter.

Paying tribute to a time-honored craft, this wine has been aged for 60 days in whiskey barrels, creating bold notes of red and dark fruit with layers of maple and spice. — 3 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.3

A 60 minute decant and wine was ready to drink. Simpler less complex but a good dinner companion — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2021 vintage. Tasted via Coravin. So the deals definitely afoot in Napa (and elsewhere in CA) currently. This was light-medium/medium body. Not the biggest Cabernet footprint on the delicate palate. But wow...immediately engaging and intimate simultaneously. Having tasted the late 60's, some 70's, most of the 80's, and nearly all of the 90's-2010's vintages of this at some point...actually feel like this is the wine this property has always wanted to make since inception. It's pure, authentic, and pared to the bone. Zen-like. No fluff, no fat. Tasting a Cabernet like this reminds me (yet again) how bastardized things have truly gotten along CA Hwy 29. Picked up two 6-packs and we'll see how it does. Leaner and biting-playfully. So unlike nearly all Napa cabs these days so it comes across as a huge palate/Napa Cab market reset now. Have been able to take or leave BV over the decades compared to Phelps, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, Dunn, Diamond Creek, Mondavi, Mayacamas, Heitz and the rest of the really old guard but blind taste this against any 2020 or newer Napa Cab and/or Bordeaux and see where it slots for you. 8.5.26. — 7 days ago

Rick Phillips

9.8

One of the Greatest Latour s of all time. Could easily go another 60 years. Opened to earthy musky dark fruit but as the evening progressed the flavor became so bold with cherry plum blackberry leather and tobacco. One of my favorites! — 3 months ago

with Letha

Jamie Lauder

9.0

2021 vintage.
Sangiovese 60 % and Cabernet Sauvignon 40 % from Pitigliano estate in Maremma, Tuscany with a southwest exposure.
Owned by Tommasi family since 1997.
Rompicolla is ‘breakneck’ but means tremendously steep and slippery slope…a risky adventure.
Soils are deep in volcanic tuff.
Stainless steel ferment and matured 1 year in 65 HL Slavonian oak casks.
Red cherries, raspberries, savoury spice, and floral.
Medium bodied but fresh and clean on the finish.
This wine loves food ….and I appreciate that. — 7 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Pretty deep ruby , thin ruby rim . This is quite closed at first , but very focused mineral and grafite , oyster shell notes with dark blackcurrant and blackberry notes , spicy touches too . On the palate this is really focused and reserved , lots of mineral tinged black fruits , tobacco , oyster shell . Quite rich yet very good balance, fresh acidity . Ripe but gritty tannins , saline and really long finish . Accessible now , but really destined for the long term. Wait another 5-10 years , will drink well a further 20 . At Vinous Icons, Pier 60 NY, Feb 2025 — a year ago

Jeffrey Woo

9.3

Dark ruby hue. Notes of blackberry, blueberry, earthy, pepper, and strawberry. Medium-high tannins and acidity. Full-bodied with grippy tannins. Solid finish. 60 Merlot and 40 Cabernet Franc. — 3 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Estate dates back to Crusades & Scottish navigator, George Smith, owner in the 18th century. Blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot aged in 20% new oak, deep Ruby with aromas of dark berry, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of plum, cherry & currant with notes of pepper, tobacco & cacao notes. Soft rich full tannins, long finish ending with fruit, earthy and mineral character, needs a little more time. — 3 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV – Champagne AOC, France 🇫🇷

Overview
One of Champagne’s enduring benchmarks, Special Cuvée combines approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, with a significant portion of reserve wines contributing depth and consistency. Rich, layered, and unmistakably Bollinger, it delivers remarkable complexity at a price point that remains accessible compared to many prestige bottlings.

Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, citrus zest, baked brioche, roasted nuts, and subtle spice unfold in layers. Notes of fresh bread dough and orchard fruit intertwine with hints of honey and toast.

Mouthfeel
Vibrant and energetic with a creamy mousse and impressive depth. A delicate kiss of yeast adds texture and contrast, while the wine’s concentration and freshness remain beautifully balanced through the finish.

Food Pairings
Lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken, truffle dishes, aged Comté, oysters, or simply enjoyed as a celebratory aperitif.

Verdict
A richly textured and multi-layered Champagne that continues to justify its reputation as one of the region’s benchmarks. Complex, expressive, and consistently rewarding, it offers a level of sophistication that punches well above its category.

Did You Know?
Unlike many large Champagne houses, Bollinger ferments a portion of its wines in old oak barrels and maintains an extensive reserve wine program, helping create the signature richness and depth that define Special Cuvée.

🍷 Personal Pick
Few non-vintage Champagnes deliver this combination of richness, complexity, and value. The layered fruit, subtle autolytic character, and vibrant texture make Special Cuvée one of my favorite benchmark Champagnes and a bottle I never hesitate to revisit. — 2 months ago

Mike Lev

9.2

Very plush, red berry, red cherry, rose petal & dried orange rind. Medium + body medium + tannins, and soft; spicy finish, some pencil shaving & graphite. Highly perfumed long finish. I couldn’t wait. Amazing QPR at 60 bucks.  — 6 months ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.5

From magnum.
Deg. 05-2018
Base (60%) 2013, 40% reserve wines from 2012, 2011 and 2010.
70CH, 30PN.
This was fabulous and perfectly a point. — 8 months ago

Severn G

9.2

2000 | Red Blend
(60% Nebbiolo / 20% Croatina/ 10% Vespolina / 10% Uva Rara)
Tenuta Monolo (Umberto Gilodi); Riserva Piedmont; Bramaterra, Italy
(91-93; Drink 2020-2028)

Far better than prior bottles of 2000 a year or so ago, I'm now convinced those earlier bottles were flawed in some fashion. — 2 years ago

JKT

9.2

At Oginos post Thanksgiving. Thumbs up! 35/65 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir and it shows, creamy almost velvety texture tingling with fine bubbles. 5.5g dosage. 40/60 2012/2013 harvest, disgorged 1-2016. All on back label! — 3 years ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Slightly darker in color. Yeast and intense nose. Clarity and crisp mid palate. Intense and focused. Very good. — 3 years ago

with Gregg