Cuvée M
Trimbach
Cuvée Frédéric Emile Alsace Riesling 2008
At Cindy’s with Fing. Mistaken bottle. Golden color, clearly aged with touch of oxidation but lots of complex aromatics. Excellent — a month ago
Pol Roger
Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 2012
Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse Denver — 2 months ago
M. Chapoutier
"Le Pavillon" Ermitage Syrah 1999
A slight hint of corck or other flaw. May improve with air like the other bottle out of the same cellar we tasted two years ago. Edit: didn't improve much after two hours in the decanter. — 14 days ago
Bollinger
Special Cuvée Brut Champagne
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
Vilmart & Cie
Cœur de Cuvée Rilly-la-Montagne 1er Cru Brut Champagne Blend 2014
This is precise, acidic, long finish. Notes of citrus, green apple, salinity, toast and just right amount of dosage. — a month ago
Pierre Péters
Les Chétillons Cuvée Spéciale Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2013
Omakase lalo — a month ago
Jean Foillard
Cuvée 3.14 Morgon Gamay 2014
The fruit for “Pi” is sourced from Foillard’s oldest vines on Côte du Py. These vines are believe to be more than 100 years old. Popped an poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2014 “Pi” pours a deep ruby/purple color with a translucent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of funky dark fruit: black cherry, purple flowers, a whiff of horse blanket, sous bois and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Beautiful stuff. Drink now through 2039. — 3 months ago
M. Chapoutier
Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem Syrah Blend 2020
Cherry red. Black Fruity matured. Good concentration. Black pepper is not much. Fermented flavor.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M Acidity M Tannin M Soft Bitterness M Body M Finish M %
Balanced Concentrated M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila Hait Occultum Lapidem Syrah Blend 20 @1000, city, 260629 — a month ago
Ca' del Bosco
Cuvée Prestige Franciacorta Brut Chardonnay Blend
This is a remembrance of Sofia & my trip to Franciacorta & visit to Ca’ del Bosco in 2015.
If Italy has a kind of equivalent to Champagne, it would be Franciacorta. This is not Prosecco. It is made in the traditional method.
It is a beautiful part of Italy with both Lake Garda’s, one smaller (closer) & one much bigger and is a summer haven.
Excuse the fussy pics. I bought a new iPhone 7 just before we left & it had a defective camera.
The nose shows fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, white peach, tropical melons, vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens.
The palate has nice, soft, mousse. Ripe fruits; fruit blossoms, pineapple, green, apple, golden apple, lemon, lime, white peach, tropical melons & mango. Vanilla, frothy cream, some caramel, soft volcanics, sea spray, saline, chalk & spring flowers setting in greens, beautiful, acidity, well balanced, nicely structured & toned with an elegant finish that last a full minute and lands on volcanics. — 2 months ago
Domaine du Pegau
Cuvée Réservé Châteauneuf-du-Pape Red Rhone Blend 2022
2022 vintage. Medium-heavy body. Needs time/patience but shows pretty well currently if you're out of either/both. 6.3.26. — 2 months ago
Lail Vineyards
J. Daniel Cuvée Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Very full and deep Napa expression. Black and blue berries, dried tobacco, Napa dust, sandalwood and floral accents. Extremely good — 3 months ago
Scott Kahn
The most remarkable Tempier I’ve had. Deep ruby with some purple tones in color despite the wine’s vintage. Integrated and soft tannins to complement good acidity and a M+ finish. Black and blue fruit supported by tertiary notes of mushroom, forest floor, and earth. Probably at the peak of this wine’s potential. — 8 days ago