Andrea Watt

9.3

Pear, green apple, brioche, and citrus. — 8 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Just a great Bourgogne Blanc & one of my favs from a vineyard site with 40- 60 yr old vines. Notes of lemon, green apple, pear, stony mineral, white flower & racy acids. Quickly drained! — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, vanilla and spice scents. On the palate complex flavors of apple, peach, pineapple and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice mouthfeel. Long finish ending with oak, vanilla, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. A beautiful Chardonnay. Pair this with a tuna steak. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Been a minute since I’ve had Ruinart. Especially, a Blanc de blanc. From 375ml.

The mouthfeel, rich with soft mousse. Slightly bruised golden apple, touch of apple cider, yellow pear, ripe-juicy yellow peach, juicy pineapple, tropical melons, green caramel apple, brioche-baguette crust, frothy cream, soft, white spice, vanilla-vanillin, saline-sea spray, dry, volcanic minerals, dry limestone marl, crumbled-dry chalk, yellow flowers framed in white, spring flowers in greens, pleasant, soft acidity and well balanced, mid toned/structured, elegant finish that lasts nearly a minute and long sets on beautiful minerality. 91+

The top left cave picture tells you why no other region can replicate that kind/much chalkiness in wine. The roots swim it. For me, there is no real substitute. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of slightly bruised apple, white flowers, lemon curd, brioche, slivered almond and a mix of chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. I wish I could drink this all night long. Alas, only a single 750mL and not a Methuselah. Drinking well now and will only be taking on more secondary and tertiary character. But if that’s your thing (and I can get down), this will deliver well past 2036. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is being served colder than I would like and that said, the nose is not all that expressive. There is green apple, stone fruits, Meyer lemon to notes of lemon pledge, lime pulp, ripe, juicy pineapple, limestone marl, notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, light butterscotch, yellow lilies/flowers, white flowers.

The palate has a clean, round smooth entry. It is good but it tastes restrained to me. Maybe, the cool temp. Green apple, stone fruits-apricots, yellow peach/nectarine, Meyer lemon to a touch of lemon pledge, lime pulp, ripe, juicy pineapple, kiwi, green melon, notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, more pronounced butterscotch, caramel as it warms up, vanillin, gentle chalky powder, limestone marl, grey volcanic minerals, white spice, herbaceous hues, yellow lilies/flowers, white flowers with greens, nice round acidity, the finish is well balanced, round & elegant, a bit viscous and lasts about a minute.

I’ve had a number of producers from CC. I have had multiple vintages of LL’s CC and it simply doesn’t deliver like some of the other producers I’ve had that make white from CC. For me, it’s a nice wine but has often underwhelmed given the terroir.

I have had good vintages of white Bourgogne’s that show this nicely and better.

@EK225 — 8 months 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. — 22 days ago

Ming L

8.9

The nose shows fresh apple and pear, with a subtle, fleeting hint of brioche. The palate is defined by a crisp, direct attack that yields to a somewhat firm, fruit-driven structure. Fine lively bubbles.

Not my favorite entry level NV Champagne, but it’s quite pleasant. — 3 months ago

Damian

9.2

Medium golden color. Right after opening, a honeycrisp apple, citrus, grapefruit and mineral notes on the nose and palate are evident. After some breathing, wine shows plenty of oxidative notes. It has a medium rich, creamy mouthfeel. First vintage to go through malo — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Something for the Jasper Hill Farms, “Willoughby.”

I am not much for Brut these days. Prefer Extra Brut. But I had this 375ml left before I shifted gear’s.

Having said that, this is still very sound and consistent. Think I enjoyed it more once upon a time. It seems sweeter now having a steady stream of EB.

Nice mousse. Lemon, lime pulp w/ a bit flesh, Bosc pear, red apple, yellow stone fruits, tropical fruits, quince, ginger, whipped creams, graham cracker, nougat, light & soft volcanic minerals, nice chalk powder, sea fossils, gentle saline, yellow flowers & lilies with hints of jasmine, pleasant, lively acidity, good balance, structure-tension & a smartly polished elegant finish that lasts 90 seconds and long sets on white spice-ginger.

Excellent pair w/ Key Lime Tart.

@SimplyRedVirtualLiveHamburg — 7 months ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.5

v18. Wow! Extremely good! Soft orange blossom and fusel oil nose. Luscious Granny Smith apple and lime zest fruit. Bright, long, crisp, slight effervescent and oily finish. Enjoyable! — 9 months ago

Mary H

9.2

Few bubbles in the glass. Bruised golden apple, golden pear, slightly reductive / sherry-like. Reminded me a lot of the Peter Lauer 1987 Riesling sekt, but with fewer bubbles. An interesting but not crowd-pleasing Champagne. @ Persona, Stockholm — a month ago

katarina ammann

9.3

First Vinho Verde! Super light, crisp notes of lime, green apple, and florals. Slight fizz from a secondary fermentation. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Just really starting to hit its perfect drink window. Really excellent Blanc de Blanc. Green apple, lime pulp with zest, amazing freshness & acidity. — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Had the 15 Salon two-weeks ago. After, I had this cuvée and their 2018 Delamotte. Not really a fair order. So tonight, thought I’d give it one. Been awhile since I enjoyed this cuvée.

In the rare case, Salon does not declare a vintage, this is where that fruit goes. So…when & if, buy this n/v.

Nice mousse, crispy, racy acidity. Lime pulp with zest, lemon pulp, green/golden apple, white stone fruit, some yellow peach, kiwi, tropicals, frothy, steamed whole milk, caramel, vanillin to vanillin, excellent white spice, palate penetrating volcanic minerals, limestone marl, brilliant chalky powder with bits, some yeastiness, baguette crust, brioche, toffee & butterscotch notes, almost a sweetish herbaceous quality, daffodils, white flowers set in greens with a nicely rounded, knitted, balanced, spot on tension and a 90 second, elegant finish that long sets on spice & volcanic. — 4 months ago

Ed Chin

9.3

Tons of green apple and a slight hint of yeastiness. There was an oxidative element to it that was interesting but not for everyone. — 6 months ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Pop and pour. A majestic lite gold color. On the nose: crisp apples, lemon, almonds, floral, and honey. Taste: creamy, beautiful texture and nice acidity wine with apple, pear, lemon zest, saline, flint, and a minerally lime peel medium plus finish. YUM! Maturing gracefully and time to go. — 8 months ago

with Brenda

Conrad Green

9.4

Super clean and light with steeliness and light lime color. Much fresher than the 09. Zippy with rock pools, green apple. Almost Riesling like in its precision. Light on its feet despite its depth. — 9 months ago

with Paul and Ara

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Pale lemon color with aromas of ripe fruits, citrus, toasty vanilla oak and floral spice notes. On the palate flavors of apple, peaches, mango and lemon citrus, well balanced with acidity on a nice smooth mouthfeel. Long finish ending with spicy vanilla oak, mineral and citrus notes, will continue to age. Nice! — 9 months ago