Alex Michael

9.0

Red fruit, cola, spice. Long finish. Medium tannins. Balanced Pinot noir — a month ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A cuvée I have not opened in quite awhile. Found some 375ml’s and since it was one of the few 375ml Extra Brut’s available, easy to grab a few. Enjoy this cuvée from Bouzy.

The is 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged 1/23 @ 1g, making it technically a Nature on the champagne sweetness scale. Base yr 2019. For its quality, still nicely priced with ever increasing champagne pricing.

The nose reveals; ripe & macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, saline, sea shells, limestone, chalk, yellow lilies and withering white spring flowers.

The mousse is pleasant, creamy, theirs a ripe richness in the fruits. Macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, mango, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s-Meyer lemon lead, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, soft, chewy, warm, caramel, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, white spice, dry twig, saline, powdered sea fossils, limestone/chalk powder, grey volcanic minerals, used oak tones with withering yellow lilies and withering white spring florals. Lively, crisp, rainfall acidity and a well; knitted, balanced, toned, elegant finish with smart and not overly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on an even blend of stone fruits, citruses and volcanic minerals.

Photos of; the champagne house of Pierre Paillard and owner/winemaker-Quentin Paillard. — 4 months ago

Peter Coulthard

9.2

Waitrose. Is a very B&B wine. Rich and fruity with elements of smooth buttery undertones. For a Cab Sav a bit different but I enjoyed this - was a pleasant glass with a meal. — 9 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Tasted from 1/2 bottle. They come in handy for dinner for two in many cases, but especially at a restaurant that allows corkage. Most do in California. It is even harder to find vintage champagne in 375ml’s.

The 2018 vintage was good to very good. You need to taste and or read up for its best offerings.

A note, I tasted at the Billecart-Salmon property in later October 2022 with Mathieu Roland-Billecart. As insightful as that was, he was asked other than Billecart Salmon champagnes, what was one of his favorite champagnes? His reply was surprisingly an older vintage Paul Bara he had recently. That’s a producer question that gets asked often. Normally generates a pause with some minor angst to answer.

The nose shows; lemon chiffon/meringue, bruised apple to slightly cider, bruised pear, yellow & white stone fruits, just ripe pineapple, orange citrus blend, lime pulp, tropical melons, whipped, white cream, white spice-ginger, yeasty bread dough, saline, crushed limestone pulp, crumbled chalk, sea fossils, white spring flowers set in yellow lilies.

The palate is round & soft. The mousse is delicate w/ micro oxidation. Ripe; lemon chiffon/meringue, white & yellow stone fruit, slightly bruised apple & Bosc pear, lime pulp, orange citrus rind, some tropical melons, cream, ginger white spice, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, saline, sea fossils, dry crumbled chalkiness, caramel notes, heather honey, warm perfectly toasted toast, graham cracker, nougat w/ nuts, yellow flowers set in a field of white spring flowers, excellent acidity with a nicely; balanced, structured, tensioned, polished finish that lasts a minute and falls on limestone laced with soft, dry, powdery chalkiness.

Photos of; the house of Paul Bara, chalky caves w/ riddling racks, old wood basket press & a vineyard picking party. — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Nice BdB, pale lemon color with aromas of citrus, floral and biscuit notes, fine bubbles and light mousse. On the palate flavors of crisp apples, pears and lemon zest with notes of warm bread and savory mineral. Long complex ending with fruit and toasty warm biscuit character. Very nice! — 4 years ago

Claus Bentin

9.9

For me, one of best champagnes I’ve ever tasted..
This 1996 is still so fresh and so much alive..
It’s apples, vanilla, honey toasted bread and a lot of other excellent notes..
I’m very impressed!! — 5 years ago

Vanessa

9.0

Popping a bottle of Paul Bara to celebrate a number of things, not least of which is a four-month suspension of the tariffs previously imposed on most French, Spanish, and German wine imports to the United States 🍾 🥂

Let’s hope this pause signals a forthcoming, permanent solution and favorable path forward.

This beautiful bottle of bubbles from Bouzy, Champagne, offers notes of citrus and orchard fruits such as lemon pith, tart apple, and pear, also white blossom, marcona almond, brioche, biscuit, bread dough, sourdough, and wet slate. It is nicely balanced and complex.

Cheers, friends! — 5 years ago

with Deked1

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. — 21 days ago

Edward Allen

9.0

Nice balance of fruit, oak, and creamy smoothness. Not too much of any one thing but I could use a touch more oak and butter against the fruit. I also prefer a bit more crisp body along with the buttery oak pulled off in the middle or lingering end, but this is a solid fallback and crowd pleaser. — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Been awhile since I’ve had this one. Always consistently good.

Beautiful mousse, bruised red apple & Bosc pear, underripe pineapple flesh, blood orange, quince, nougat, hints of white peach, white spice-ginger, whipped cream, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, speckled chalk bits, grey volcanics, limestone, withering yellow lilies/flowers, crisp acidity, well tensioned-structured, well balanced and elegant finish that last two-minutes.

@BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Blend of Chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier, pale straw lemon color with fine frothy mousse and lively bead of bubbles. An aromatic nose of fresh fruit with yeast, nutty notes and floral scents. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and citrus flavors with baked bread tones. Nice balance and acidity, delicate textures, medium+ finish ending with toasty notes, yeasty and chalky mineral character. Nice! — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.4

Palmer turned my head in general at a recent tasting—if you can get your hands on the 1996 vintage my gosh…but for exceptional Champagne at (if not everyday) more frequently do-able prices lean in. Toasty white bread with these citrus notes that…can I be honest? It reminds me when as a teen vegetarian in St Louis I’d do late night runs to Steak and Shake where my friends got burgers but I’d order toast and butter with a lime freeze. Those toasty but piquant and refreshing notes. Expect like that on a platter with even more nuance. Obvi it doesnt taste like that precisely but its toast and citrus vibes don’t let go and cream and apple butter are backup singers. Do drink Palmer. — 3 years ago

Jose Castello

9.0

Great weekday wine. Kinda Light but earthy. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.4

Medium gold color. Light tiny bubbles. Notes of green apples, bread yeast, some citrus and citrus pit, and river stones. Modest in the mouth at first but with air this grew up and improved. Maybe a touch past its prime but a good start to the evening… (Bday 1 of 12) — 5 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

#AgedWineTuesday

Very pretty color of peach with a salmon hue.

Strong nose of apples, citrus, peaches, yeast, light bread and minerals.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and tiny bubbles.

Dry on the palate with raspberries, over ripen strawberries, apples, limes, yeast, sea salt, brioche, spices, minerals, light earth and cardamom.

Long spicy finish with limes and grapefruits.

This 14 year old Rosé Champagne is drinking beautifully already, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years. Elegant, spicy and rich. Fruity and nicely balanced, complex and engaging.

Wine Spectator 96 points. Wine Advocate 95 points.

Good right out of the bottle, and better when not too cold.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Tuna Avocado Tartare.

A blend of 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay, with 5% red wine. Disgorged in 2020.

12% alcohol by volume.

93 points.

$200. — 2 months ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.7

aromas are so complex with sliced fresh and dried ginger, subtle pie crust, tarte tatin and hints of nutmeg with some salted caramel. Toasted bread, too. Always subtle. The palate is full- to medium-bodied yet hemmed-in with a freshness and balance that draws you back. Savory and vibrant — 7 months ago

Timothy Eustis

Wine Director, Red Lion Inn

9.2

Wonder bread toasted. Apple and pear. Maybe not baked. But maybe. Super balanced. This is the bomb. So much better than regular brut. 2015 — 8 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.0

Not as bad as I remember it. It’s been a while though.

Slightly, bruised pear & red & green apple, lime zest, lemon pulp, some ginger white spice w/ a touch of heat, limestone mixed in volcanic minerals, crisp chalkiness, sea spray, yeasty bread dough, yellow & white spring flowers, lively acidity and a balanced & nicely polished elegant finish that last 45 seconds and lands on volcanics.

Emirates SFO. — 9 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

HBTM! 🥳 🎉🎂 🎈

Lighter on its feet than the 166eme. Fresher & a bit creamier.

Nice but could use some additional cellaring. Less complexity than the 166eme.

Cream right up top. The fruits are more subtle than the 166eme. Lemon, lime, pineapple, tropical melon, kiwi, white peach, touch of grapefruit & green apple. Very soft, chalkiness & limestone marl, perfect sea fossils & saline, just a touch of white spice, brioche, touch of bread dough, spring flowers, some yellow lilies, racey soft, yet crispy acidity, perfect balance, soft tension & structure, balance for days and a nicely knitted & smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.

The 169ème Édition Cuvée is composed around the 2013 vintage and is a blend of 146 wines from 11 different years. The youngest is from the year 2013 and the oldest dates back to 2000. The 169eme spent 7 years in the cellar. Composed of 43% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay & 22% Pinot Meunier. The reserve wines are from the House’s extensive library and made up 40% of the final blend.

Photos of; Krug’s backend, tasting room, cellar and vineyard. — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.2

#AgedWineTuesday

Celebrating our wedding anniversary, with a Vintage Champagne from the same year.

Light yellow in color with a golden hue.

Strong nose of bread, spices, earth, wet leaves, herbs, yeast, white pepper, lemons, yellow apples and river rocks.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity and soft, small bubbles.

Dry on the palate with light citrus, over ripen apples, spices, yeast, bread, river rocks, herbs and white pepper.

Short finish with limes.

This 28 year old Champagne is still delicious, although probably on its last leg.

Showing great complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Soft and elegant.

Not much fruit is left, but enough to make it tangy and interesting.

Thank you Judy for sharing this with us.

Good by itself or with food. I paired it with caviar and good friends. Very tasty, especially with the caviar.

12% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$550. — 5 years ago