Carter Snead

9.7

Bride’s Bday OT — 2 months ago

with John and Leigh

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.0

After I tried through the other Champagnes. This came across as sweet. Just not a fan of this house. — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Nutty and toasty on the nose. Plush and expansive in the palate. Great acidity — 3 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 — 3 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I am seldom dumbfounded when it comes to wine. So, I appreciate it when that happens.

This 1990 La Grande Dame was amazing and so fresh. Full disclosure, I am not normally impressed by this producer and this cuvée. Unusual for a champagne of 35 yrs to be so fresh in my experience from inception. So much so, if poured blind many would call it N/V or a fairly recent vintage. The color was even palish straw. Mags were brought from their Champagne House.

Excellent with the dessert of the evening, “Lemon Meringue Pie Cookie.”

Enjoyed at the 2026 “From Cellar Event” Pebble Beach Food and Wine.

Creator is Sumaiya Bangee.
NEW YORK, NY
All in Hospitality and Thulathan
@_sumaiya_bangee_ — 4 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. — 6 months ago

Sean Townley

9.5

No idea how old this is (QR code on back gives a 404) but it’s fantastic — 7 months ago

with Mairead

Christian Fischer

9.1

Xmas day and my mother in law likes champagne with cooking. What’s not to like about that :) — 9 months ago

Marcio Morelli

9.2

Brut Nature — 9 years ago

with Marcos, Otavio and 2 others

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. — 3 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.4

Omakase lalo — 3 months ago

KA

9.5

Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse Denver — 3 months ago

Mark S.

9.0

Yeast Chalk mineral. Brioche. Citrus. Slightly Liquor like. Rich Minerally. Slightly smoky. Balanced. Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve Champagne Blend @, JL, 260426 — 4 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

V22 in a small Portland OR restaurant. Delicious. — 5 months ago

Mathew

9.6

F’ing delicious. By the glass at clove club — 6 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

NV | the Sunday breakfast sparkling with scrambled eggs — 7 months ago

John Van Trijp

9.8

Weekend with Friends and average wines…😎 — 8 months ago

Brian S

8.9

Must say I am only a Venus or Mineral guy. — 9 months ago

Ted Mandes

9.9

This was the start of a grand evening. With Maggie and Gerard and Mark and Sherri and Cindy. Two bottles at Gerard's most wonderful Cave — 9 years ago

with Cindy

GaryWEdwards

9.5

This is a pleasant stunner of citrus zest and tart apple. Whoa! Note to self: 12 is not sufficient supply. — 2 months ago

Gabriel Hayes

10

Tanglewood — 2 months ago

with Patricia and Rachel

Alvaro Bustillos

9.6

Primera cena troigss — 3 months ago

Miles Perry

9.0

A great brut Champagne. — 3 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.1

Air France Lounge LAX - pretty good/to excellent. Brioche, marzipan. Quite amazing what Air France does compared to other airlines. — 4 months ago

Billy L.

9.3

Happy Easter Cheers 🍾🥂👍🏻👏🏻 — 5 months ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.3

Always good. A fresh and fruity crowd pleaser. — 7 months ago

Emma Swain

9.4

Just delicious- lovely balance — 7 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Magnum cena navidad — 9 months ago

Fabian S

9.3

beautifully crisp — 6 years ago

Rodney Lee

9.8

Whoooo weeee! Now this is Champagne! — 11 years ago