NV Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne 750 ml

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut stands in a class by itself. It offers the kind of prestige wine experience most Champagne houses reserve for their premium bottlings. For that, it tops our list of dollar-for-dollar greats—a classy, classic, go-to Wine Access member-favorite.

As Decanter put it, “the complexity and richness of Special Cuvée is unparalleled among the entry non-vintage blends of every Champagne house.”

Champagne expert Peter Liem called Bollinger “not only the most prominent producer in Aÿ but one of the most renowned in all of Champagne.” 

Over 85% of the grapes that make up the Special Cuvée come from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. All are picked and sorted by hand, then gently pressed. The wine ages first in oak barrels and then—for the carefully parceled reserve wines—many more years in magnums. It’s this extra effort with Bollinger’s reserve-wine system that really sets the Special Cuvée apart. It also spends an unusually long time on its fine lees, around three years.

At first pop, you know you’ve made a good decision. Bollinger has that incredible essence that makes Champagne the world’s go-to for celebrations. It also impresses all the way through, from first glance to last swallow. As the mousse expands and you take a sip, you’ll find layers of fresh citrus and orchard fruit, toasted nuts, and just-baked biscuits. The Special Cuvée combines a subtle complexity and immediate approachability only achievable with time and consummate skill. 

While we think this wine is just lovely on its own, we’re also big fans of pairing it with grilled lobster dripping with drawn butter and a squeeze of lemon—and when we’re really feeling it, a side of truffle fries.