Jay Kline

9.5

It’s been five years since I last had the 2000 vintage of P2 and looking back on my notes, not a whole lot has changed though the autolytic notes seem to be more integrated into the entire package.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2000 P2 pours a deep straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, ripe golden apple, raspberry, ripe soft rind cheese, a touch of mushrooms, lemon/lime citrus and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Loads of energy still. This remains a very special wine. Drink now through 2040+. — 11 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Surprisingly ready nose, like fresh crust of a sourdough, with Buddha’s hand or star fruit dry citrus merged with some dry mineral freshness. There’s actually a hint of band aid in there as well, though not off putting. The bubbles dissipate relatively quickly, but the palate is long and lingering, with tons of acidity, some slight baking notes, and a nice dry, energetic finish that keeps the dry citrus at the forefront. — 25 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Happy 4th of July Weekend 250. 🧨 🎇 🇺🇸

Lemon met by equal intensity of green apple, lime w/ zest, pineapple fresh, some mango, tropical melons, white stone fruits, light caramel, lemon chiffon pie w/ graham cracker crust, whipped cream, dry chalk/limestone powder, volcanics, light white spice, sea spray to fossils, some yeasty bread dough, yellow lilies wrapped in white spring flowers, cool stream acidity, balanced, mid toned/structure with a nicely polished elegant finish that lasts just over a minute and long sets on sea bed and soft white spice.

91-92. — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Soft lemon and lime with a slate minerality on the nose. Beautiful intensity and focus on the palate. Salinity and a touch of sweetness — 2 months ago

with Bex

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

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

NV. Along with the Philipponnat Réserve Perpétuelle Brut, this is slaying it in that resto cost sub-$50 USD range currently. A little more green appley than the Philipponnat but still banging for the ca$hi$h. Did I mention 1/2 bottle availability? 8.19.26. — 7 days ago

michael pandolfo

9.3

A M A Z I N G!!!! Fragrant nose of fresh brioche and warm plums. Slight hint of marzipan. Long finish. Delicious. Love what this have evolved into. — 10 days ago

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

Joe Flo

9.5

Just think Dom Perignon is a solid consistent Champagne house. — 2 months ago

Miles Perry

9.0

A great brut Champagne. — 2 months ago

Mark S.

9.4

Lemon yellow. Fine bubbles. Elegant aroma with something in the deep area. Creamy. Aged flavor. Changed a lot. Dried brioche came out later and quite impressive. Louis Roederer Cristal 12 @9750, wine plus - vic, 260510 — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium lemon yellow fine , persistent perlage . Quite rich and ripe on the nose with some roasted nuts , lemon peel , some camomile , still quite restrained and a little closed. On the palate again quite full and rich , ripe lemon fruit , orange rind , roasted nuts and a creamy mouthfeel , certainly enough acidity to balance but on the richer side . Good length and lightly toasty finish . This is good now but will probably improve over the next few years and last well a further 5-10 . — 4 months ago

Mackenzie Svee

9.7

Shows white peach, bitter almond, dried flowers, slate, and umami savor, with a long, detailed finish — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2015 pours a crystal clear, pale straw color with persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with bright green apple, star fruit, citrus tree blossom, lemon curd and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long. This is a baby but there’s already a lot of material here. The texture is extraordinary. Expect a long life ahead. Drink now with maybe a short decant, through 2055. Third tranche. Disgorged September of 2025. — 11 days 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. — 3 months ago

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

Still fresh but definitely lots of secondary notes. Pear and wet stone and a light sweetness and salinity. Good tension. Excellent — 3 months ago

with Ara and Paul

Frank Soldano

9.5

Very nice sipping wine. Fruit forward with a slightly sweet finish. — 4 months ago

Alan Weinberg

9.2

V22 in a small Portland OR restaurant. Delicious. — 4 months ago