Coop. Decent Prosecco. Slightly sweet but very drinkable. — 4 years ago
Very good...
David at the Fat Canary, merci’ — 5 years ago
Happy New Year Everyone!!
Cristal for the parents and sparkling apple juice for the twins!
Cristal doesn’t hold a candle to my go to of Bollinger Le Grand Annee, but is always nice on a special occasion! Was very restrained and probably will be better in 5+yrs. — 6 years ago
A few wines from last week’s 4th Friday event!
I was craving some bubbles, so I opened this. For Bollinger, I expected this to be a touch more rich and powerful. What I got was a fairly elegant and finesse driven rosé champagne. Very red berry fruit driven upfront with some strawberry cream, toasted biscuit, and sea salted rhubarb fruit. So energetic on the palate but a fine balance between blanc de noir style vs rosé. Gummy red fruits with some strawberry shortbread and some sweetness toward the finish. I think these are likely better closer to release (as opposed to their special Cuvee sibling, which can be marvelous with a touch of age). — 6 years ago
Special bottle — 11 years ago
Great value and very Bollinger-like — 12 years ago
Since being stationed in Germany and visiting the Champagne region I have developed a great appreciation for the bubbly and this Bollinger is special. The nose initially is mild and hints of flowers and buiscits. This Pinot forward libation is lucious and goes on with a beautiful finish. Let it rest and open up a bit and I had a distinct nose of chocolate croissant!! Enjoy!!! — 9 months ago
This superstar 2012 vintage just doesn’t seem to miss. Especially not when paired with the elegance of Bollinger.
A gorgeous rose copper color in the glass. Plenty of fine bubbles that seem to just go on and on. The approachability of these outstanding 12’s is immediate. Wild strawberries and herbs shine on the nose. Red currant, raspberries, and stewed plums. Some exquisite spice notes along with white flowers. Tangerines and watermelons play a part.
The vitality and sheer energy of this is amazing. 67% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and Verzenay. 33% Chardonnay from Oiry and Le Mesnil sur Oger with 5% still red wine from Bollinger’s legendary Côte aux Enfants vineyard. Terrific youthful tension and balance. Zippy acidity with 8 g/l of sugar. Disgorged in August of 2019 and already showing some maturity.
Pure romance on the tongue. Silky smooth and elegant with fresh red berries and more spice on the palate. Saffron and honey with oak complimenting. The Lehmann Jamesse Grand Blanc provided more floral notes, while the Riedel Dom Perignon showed more ripe fruit and minerality. Both wonderful. Yes this will obviously develop over time and become so much more special but you deserve this now. So do I. Enjoy.
— 5 years ago
Opulent and complex. Green apple, peach, a bit pipe apple, brioche, fresh bread dough, chalk, sea shells, and hint of toasted nuts. Savory and crisp at the same time. Splendid acidity. Super energetic mousse, though lacking a bit refinement.
Base wine is 2011, disgorged 2018. This and the Bollinger Special Cuvée are two of my favorite NV Champaign from larger houses. With 40% reserved wine averaged 10 year old, the CH Brut Reserve no doubt is a better value. — 6 years ago
A few fun 4th Friday wines from tonight.
I snagged a few of these after the Billecart Salmon dinner a few months ago and have slowly checked in on them. In profile, this is more opulent and rich compared to Billecart’s traditionally more lean style. I’d compare this to Bollinger’s Special Cuvee with a touch more caramel. Aromatically, it’s yeasty and bold with buttered English breakfast biscuits, lemon confit, powdered lemon bar and roasted almonds. On the palate, it’s sporting chalky limestone, caramel dipped apple and Mexican vanilla with a hint of marzipan. The mousse here is very fizzy, almost creamy. If you enjoy Billecart’s style but wish for a tad more body/richness to it, this is for you. — 7 years ago
I’m at 92-93 here, but this is absolutely going to improve. I should have bought more than just a couple!
Paul Dethune champagnes are quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This cuvée is 50/50 (Pinot noir/chard), with 30% coming from their Solera dating back to the 70s.
I’ve said that I feel Petit & Bajan are the equivalent of Bollinger Special Cuvée in grower form, but I stand corrected. THIS is Bolly SC with a grower champagne vibe. Gold in the glass. Aromatics of lemon cream, lemon croissant, golden raspberries, and honeycomb. On the palate, it has the toasted Bolly profile but it’s dialed back a touch…feels more focused. Less expansive, but there’s added power here. Beautifully balanced with the sweet (the fruit, not the dosage) and savory (honey roasted cashews, sea salt). Imagine Bolly SC and a CHeidsieck Blanc de Blanc…you’ve got this. Loved it. — 2 years ago
Really great sparkler. Tons of acid and some tropical fruit, citrus, tart green apples really shine, but just enough body to give it some balance. This is clearly all about the acidity though. I could see how some would not enjoy that part of this wine. — 5 years ago
Very special, red fruits from Pinot noir. No, this is made from Chardonnay grape. 2nd time on 200318, tasty giving impact with matured pear and nuts flavor and sourness. Varnier-Fanniere Cuvee Jean Fanniere Origine Extra Brut Grand Cru Champagne Blend, AVIZE CUVEE grand cru @2300, - Kkami, 210303 — 5 years ago
Special club 2011 by Gaston Chiquet, good producer, very bad year. Surprise they even did special club bottlings that year. You can tell by the lack of intensity and lenght that this was a vintage ruined by rain in champagne, but gaston makes a very charming cuvee with an super creamy mousse and super fresh and Young despite being deg17 and of a lesser vintage. — 6 years ago
A very special birthday gift fro Jay and Tull Solar to Bill. Really delicious. — 7 years ago
As far as big houses go, always been a fan of the special cuvée. This is a cut above - lots and lots of biscuit and toast, but very well integrated, bit of dried apricot and a slight tinge of bitter oxidation rounding out this one - fantastic sparkler. — 11 years ago
A special house and land. Meticulous vinification. — 13 years ago
Lauren Young
Perfectly yeasty- LAX lounge — 12 days ago