Champagne Bollinger: Rare Releases, Iconic Cuvées & Exceptional Prices

Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV — Aÿ, Champagne, France

Bollinger is one of Champagne's most storied and revered houses — a family-owned Grande Marque founded in 1829 in Aÿ, at the heart of the Pinot Noir-dominant Montagne de Reims. Fiercely independent, resolutely traditional, and uncompromising in quality, Bollinger is the only major Champagne house to still ferment a portion of its reserve wines in magnum and to use a significant proportion of oak-aged reserve wines in its blends. The Special Cuvée is the house's flagship non-vintage Brut — a benchmark of the Bollinger style and one of the most consistently celebrated Champagnes in the world. The current release is based on the 2019 vintage (45%), blended with 55% reserve wines, with 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Pinot Meunier — approximately 10% vinified in oak barrel, with around 40% reserve wine kept in magnums.

The color is a rich, youthful golden hue. The nose is classic and complex: golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, and toasty sourdough — the unmistakable Bollinger signature of depth, richness, and biscuity autolytic character. On the palate, it is full-bodied yet elegant and light on its feet, with a ripe and luxurious feel, racy acidity, and a pillowy, refined mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes carry through to a long, inviting finish with just a hint of warmth. Exceptional now, with plenty of life ahead.

Decanter 95 — "A classic Champagne done well. Notes of marzipan, toastiness and leesy sourdough. Classic for a reason — would only elevate any table it finds itself on."

Jancis Robinson 17/20 — "A particularly stunning rendition of Bollinger. Very fine texture, remarkably fine mousse. Savoury, biscuity notes. Great length — a lovely example."

Jeb Dunnuck 93 — "Classic and ripe with lush, rounded aromas of golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone and black cherry. Full-bodied yet elegant. One of the best entry wines to the range from this house — a benchmark wine."

James Suckling 93 — "Lovely density and fine-bubble texture. Dried apple and apricot, spice, zest and ginger. Always really well done."

Robert Parker 92 — "Bursting from the glass with honeyed apples, crisp stone fruit, buttery pastry, ripe lemons and fresh walnuts. Charming, characterful — Special Cuvée is firmly back where it belongs."

• Producer: Bollinger, Aÿ, Champagne, France
• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier
• Reserve Wine: 55% (including ~40% aged in magnum)
• Base Vintage: 2019
• Oak: ~10% vinified in barrel
• Size: 750ml
• Tasting Notes: Golden apricot, hazelnut, wet stone, black cherry, dried apple, marzipan, sourdough, pillowy mousse, long finish
• Drink: Now through 2028
• Best Paired With: Oysters, lobster, grilled fish, roast chicken, aged Comté, charcuterie, aperitivo

James Bond's Champagne of choice — Bollinger Special Cuvée is the benchmark non-vintage Brut, and one of the great Champagnes at any price.

Bollinger La Grande Année 2018 is an exceptional vintage Champagne that embodies the House of Bollinger's signature richness, precision, and elegance. Produced only in outstanding vintages, La Grande Année represents the finest expression of Bollinger's traditional craftsmanship, combining the structure and depth of Pinot Noir with the finesse and freshness of Chardonnay.

The 2018 vintage is composed of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, sourced predominantly from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards in Champagne. Fermented in small oak barrels and aged extensively on the lees, this prestigious cuvée offers remarkable complexity, a beautifully refined mousse, and extraordinary aging potential.

The bouquet opens with expressive aromas of ripe orchard fruits, white peach, red berries, and blood orange, layered with delicate floral notes of acacia, jasmine, and rose petals. Subtle nuances of toasted brioche, hazelnut, praline, and warm spices add richness and depth.

On the palate, La Grande Année 2018 is both generous and beautifully structured, revealing concentrated flavors of white cherry, baked apple, citrus zest, and delicate red fruits. Its creamy, finely textured mousse is balanced by vibrant acidity and distinctive chalky minerality. The finish is exceptionally long and elegant, with lingering notes of roasted almonds, fresh ginger, and a captivating saline freshness.

A magnificent Champagne for special occasions, La Grande Année 2018 is equally compelling at the table, pairing beautifully with lobster, scallops, roasted poultry, truffle dishes, and aged cheeses. While already displaying remarkable harmony, its structure and complexity promise further development with careful cellaring.

Professional Ratings & Reviews

98 Points — Wine Enthusiast

A wine built on generosity, precision, and layered depth. The nose alone is remarkably complex, offering crushed raspberry, white peach, blood orange, rose hip, jasmine, saffron, patisserie, fresh ginger, and hazelnut. On the palate, concentrated, pure red berries rest atop delicate spice, yeast, and fine clay. Divine and harmonious, this expression should only deepen with additional cellaring."

97 Points — Wine Spectator

July 13, 2026 "A statuesque Champagne, with a spine of fine china–like acidity enmeshed in the plush mouthfeel of its finely detailed mousse. That’s an elegant springboard for layers of white cherry, creamed apple and brioche, with a fragrant skein of grated coconut, toasted cumin, anise, acacia blossom and mandarin orange peel accents. A push of salty roasted almond is a subtle but rich and lasting chime on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay."

96 Points — Vinous

March 9, 2026  "Bollinger's 2018 La Grande Annee is quite pretty and delicate. Floral and citrus notes are nicely lifted in a Grande Annee that offers notable sensuality and grace. Hints of orchard fruit, chamomile, mint and chalk build through the mid-palate and into the taut, chiseled finish. There's plenty of energy and focus. I would give this a few years in the cellar."

96 Points — James Suckling

August 3, 2026 "Aromas of quince, wet stones, roasted apples, pralines, wilted rose petals, yellow plums and acacia. The mousse is creamy and finely textured, leading to a captivating saline finish. A fine expression of Bollinger. A blend of pinot noir and chardonnay."

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

• Wine: La Grande Année Brut

• Vintage: 2018

• Region: Champagne, France

• Appellation: Champagne AOC

• Grape Varieties: 66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay

• Style: Vintage Brut Champagne

• Color: White

• Vineyards: Predominantly Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites

• Vinification: Traditional fermentation in small oak barrels

• Aging: Extended maturation on the lees

• Dosage: Brut

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 46–50°F (8–10°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Excellent; suitable for extended aging under proper storage conditions

Bollinger Champagne Bundle

Two bottles, two expressions of Bollinger. This Champagne duo brings together Bollinger Rosé NV and Special Cuvée Brut NV, with one 750ml bottle of each. Share them over dinner, open them side by side for a tasting, or save a bottle for another occasion.

What's Included

• One bottle of Bollinger Champagne Rosé NV, 750ml
• One bottle of Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut NV, 750ml

Special Cuvée Brut NV

Rich and textured, Special Cuvée combines notes of golden apricot, hazelnut, dried apple and toasty sourdough with a refined mousse and a long, savory finish. Its listed blend is 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier.

Pairing & Serving

Serve chilled and enjoy as an aperitif or alongside dinner. Try Special Cuvée with oysters, lobster, grilled fish, roast chicken, aged Comté or charcuterie.

Details

• Producer: Bollinger
• Country: France
• Region / appellation: Champagne
• Bundle: Rosé NV and Special Cuvée Brut NV
• Quantity: Two 750ml bottles
• Total volume: 1.5 liters
• Vintage: Non-vintage
• Type: Sparkling wine / Champagne
• Special Cuvée grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier

97 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 Points Wine Spectator | 95 Points Essi Avellan | 94 Points Vinous

Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants Champagne 2015 is an extraordinary, single-vineyard Blanc de Noirs that represents one of the rarest and most distinctive expressions of Pinot Noir in Champagne. Produced exclusively from 100% Grand Cru Pinot Noir grown on the legendary La Côte aux Enfants vineyard in Aÿ, this exceptional vintage Champagne captures the remarkable depth, precision, and mineral character of one of the region's most celebrated terroirs.

The historic vineyard was assembled by Jacques Bollinger between 1926 and 1934, reflecting his vision of producing extraordinary Pinot Noir from this prestigious site. While the south-facing slopes are traditionally associated with Bollinger's celebrated still red wine, the Champagne comes from the cooler, northwest-facing section of the vineyard, where chalk-rich soils contribute remarkable freshness, tension, and elegance.

The 2015 vintage was marked by a warm, dry growing season that produced beautifully concentrated grapes. Despite the vintage's natural richness, La Côte aux Enfants 2015 displays extraordinary vibrancy and precision, demonstrating the distinctive influence of its exceptional terroir.

The bouquet is intensely expressive, opening with aromas of bergamot, lemon, clementine, and orange blossom, followed by ripe quince, Mirabelle plum, and candied citrus. Subtle notes of dried fruits, toasted almonds, and delicate pastry add complexity, while an underlying chalky minerality provides remarkable aromatic freshness.

On the palate, this Champagne is powerful yet beautifully sculpted, revealing concentrated flavors of ripe orchard fruits, red grapefruit, baked white cherry, and citrus zest. A fine, satiny mousse complements its sophisticated structure, while vibrant acidity and pronounced saline minerality bring remarkable energy and focus. The finish is exceptionally long, precise, and mouthwatering, with lingering notes of roasted nuts, citrus peel, and crushed chalk.

Produced in extremely limited quantities, Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants 2015 is a remarkable Champagne for collectors and enthusiasts seeking an authentic expression of Grand Cru Pinot Noir. Its concentration, structure, and exceptional freshness promise outstanding aging potential.

Food Pairings: An exceptional companion to lobster with ginger butter, roasted poultry with preserved lemon, grilled scallops, roasted asparagus, and aged goat cheese. Its remarkable depth and mineral precision also make it a sophisticated Champagne to enjoy on its own.

Professional Ratings & Reviews

97 Points — Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Bollinger’s 2015 Blanc de Noirs La Côte aux Enfants, disgorged in February 2025 with a dosage of four grams per liter, stands as the most harmonious iteration to date—a conclusion reaffirmed during a retrospective tasting that included every vintage produced from the vineyard’s northwest-facing slope, which boasts a steep 39% gradient and shallow soils that have been cultivated according to organic practices since 2009. Harvested at 11.2% potential alcohol, with meticulous selection to exclude herbaceous elements—a refinement made possible through vinification in small barrels rather than large tanks—the wine opens with a flamboyant bouquet evocative of red grapefruit zest, pear, red plum, mango and pastry notes. On the palate, it is full-bodied and concentrated, with a vibrant core of fruit supported by racy acidity and ample chalky extract. The finish is long, saline and resonant, marked by Pinot Noir phenolics that just amplify its mineral signature. Denis Bunner notes that sugar accumulation occurred rapidly in this vintage, outpacing aromatic development, yet the decision to delay harvest proved fortuitous—and I wholeheartedly concur. This is an extroverted, characterful expression that aligns beautifully with Bollinger’s house style, and while it can be drunk with considerable satisfaction in the near term, it promises a broad window of enjoyment.

97 Points Jeb Dunnuck

Sourced from two hectares in Aÿ, this is the third release of La Côte Aux Enfants Brut, following 2012 and 2014. The 2015 Champagne Blanc De Noirs La Côte Aux Enfants Brut is medium to full-bodied, with fantastic purity, and offers more verticality than La Grande Année of the same vintage. It reveals fabulous, compact, and pure notes of black raspberry, smoky wet stones, frangipane, and fresh flowers. The mousse is refined and elegant, with lasting notes of black cherry liqueur lasting through a long finish. While it is fabulous now, those seeking more decadence will need to be patient as it fleshes out. Disgorged in February of 2025.

96 Points — Wine Spectator

A statuesque Champagne, with crystal-cut acidity providing fine definition to flavors of baked white cherry and cassis, lime peel, and roasted almond, with accents of ground anise, pickled ginger and raisin bread toast. Long and mouthwatering, with a fine, satiny mousse, plus a streak of salinity creating a refreshing tang on the finish. Disgorged February 2025.

94 Points — Vinous

The 2015 Blanc de Noirs La Côte aux Enfants is tropical, rich and super-expressive right out of the gate. The Côte aux Enfants offers a decidedly mineral-drenched, racy expression of Pinot Noir, with tons of salinity and bracing vibrancy to match. The imprint of site is so strong, so compelling. Low dosage of 4 grams per liter accents the wine's energy to the maximum. The 2015 was disgorged in February 2025, so readers should plan on being at least a little bit patient. It's another very fine offering from the team at Bollinger. April 2025

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

• Wine: La Côte aux Enfants Champagne

• Vintage: 2015

• Country: France

• Region: Champagne

• Appellation: Champagne AOC

• Village: Aÿ, Grand Cru

• Vineyard: La Côte aux Enfants, northwest-facing slope

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Style: Vintage Blanc de Noirs Champagne

• Classification: Grand Cru

• Vineyard Type: Single-vineyard monopole

• Soil: Chalk-rich limestone

• Color: Saffron yellow

• Dosage: 4 g/L (Extra Brut)

• Aging: Extended cellar maturation under natural cork, more than twice the appellation minimum

• Disgorgement: February 2025

• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 46–50°F (8–10°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Excellent; suitable for extended aging

Bollinger Rosé Brut NV is a beautifully expressive Champagne that combines the House of Bollinger's signature richness and complexity with the elegance, freshness, and vibrant fruit character of a fine rosé. Crafted predominantly from Pinot Noir, this sophisticated non-vintage Champagne offers a harmonious balance of structure, finesse, and delicate red berry flavors.

Produced in the renowned Champagne region of France, Bollinger Rosé reflects the House's dedication to traditional winemaking and exceptional vineyard sourcing. Its distinctive character comes from the addition of carefully selected red wine from Pinot Noir vineyards, lending the Champagne its delicate salmon-pink hue, aromatic intensity, and refined structure.

The bouquet is expressive and inviting, opening with aromas of fresh strawberries, raspberries, red currants, and wild cherries. Delicate floral notes mingle with subtle hints of citrus zest, toasted brioche, and warm spice, creating a beautifully layered aromatic profile.

On the palate, Bollinger Rosé is lively, elegant, and wonderfully balanced. Juicy red berry flavors unfold alongside notes of ripe peach, citrus, and delicate pastry. The fine, creamy mousse adds a luxurious texture, while refreshing acidity and subtle minerality provide precision and lift. The finish is long and graceful, with lingering impressions of fresh berries, gentle spice, and toasted bread.

Equally delightful as an aperitif or paired with food, Bollinger Rosé complements smoked salmon, tuna tartare, lobster, roasted duck, grilled poultry, and berry-based desserts. Its combination of freshness, richness, and elegance makes it an outstanding Champagne for celebrations, romantic occasions, and refined dining.

Expert Ratings

94 Wine Spectator - August 11, 2025 "An enticing rosé Champagne, with a core of ripe and juicy raspberry, white peach and cherry, fragrant anise, cardamom and cumin, plus accents of slivered almond, candied ginger, blood orange peel and white blossoms. Mouthwatering and harmonious, with a fine, raw silk–like mousse and a long, long finish."

94 James Suckling - July 18, 2025 "Very attractive aromas of strawberry pie with the crust nicely crispy. Copper and iron too. Medium-bodied with real pinot noir character as well as salted butter, hints of barrel and a juicy finish. 64% barrel-fermented pinot noir (5% still red wine), 28% chardonnay and the rest pinot meunier. Rosé just keeps getting better."

93+ Jeb Dunnuck - December 20, 2024 "A medium salmon hue (only 5% red wine is added to the blend), the nose is beautiful and has a lovely touch of opulence in its notes of preserved Amarena cherries, ripe red fruit, toasted brioche, and fresh roses. The palate offers a luxurious feel, with power and elegance that suggest decadence, but it’s not sweet. It has a refined mousse, with a chalky and pithy, orange-tinged structure, wonderful length, and a good core that will easily age another 10 or more years."

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

• Wine: Bollinger Rosé Brut NV

• Country: France

• Region: Champagne

• Appellation: Champagne AOC

• Grape Varieties: 62% Pinot Noir, 24% Chardonnay, 14% Pinot Meunier

• Style: Non-Vintage Brut Rosé Champagne

• Color: Rosé

• Vineyards: More than 85% Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards

• Production: Traditional-method Champagne with 5–6% still red Pinot Noir wine added

• Vinification: Approximately 30% of the base wine fermented in oak barrels

• Reserve Wines: Approximately 50% of the blend

• Aging: Approximately 30–36 months on the lees

• Dosage: 7–8 g/L

• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 46–50°F (8–10°C)

• Food Pairings: Lobster, grilled salmon, roasted poultry, duck, seafood, and berry desserts

Bollinger PN AYC21 is an exceptional Blanc de Noirs Champagne that celebrates the distinctive character of Pinot Noir and the remarkable diversity of Champagne's terroirs. Part of Bollinger's exclusive PN collection, this limited-production cuvée showcases the House's mastery of Pinot Noir, combining richness, precision, and freshness in a beautifully expressive Champagne.

The AYC21 edition highlights Pinot Noir from the celebrated village of Aÿ, one of Champagne's most prestigious Grand Cru terroirs. Built around the 2021 harvest, this release captures the elegance and mineral tension of Pinot Noir while maintaining Bollinger's signature depth and complexity.

The nose is inviting and beautifully layered, revealing delicate floral aromas intertwined with warm spices, ripe white cherry, white raspberry, and juicy white peach. Subtle notes of freshly baked biscuits, toasted almonds, and candied ginger add complexity and richness.

On the palate, the Champagne is vibrant, focused, and remarkably harmonious. Flavors of orchard fruits, delicate red berries, and citrus unfold across a finely textured, energetic mousse. Mouthwatering acidity provides freshness and tension, while elegant mineral notes enhance the wine's precision. The finish is long, bright, and beautifully persistent, leaving impressions of toasted nuts, subtle spice, and refreshing minerality.

Both sophisticated and versatile, Bollinger PN AYC21 is an outstanding choice for Champagne enthusiasts seeking a distinctive expression of Pinot Noir. Enjoy it as an elegant aperitif or pair it with fresh oysters, scallops, lobster, roasted poultry, or delicate mushroom dishes.

Professional Ratings & Reviews

95 Points — Wine Spectator

July 20, 2026 "With an enticing, floral- and spice-laced nose and finely meshed flavors of ripe white cherry, white raspberry, white peach fruit, biscuit, grilled almond and candied ginger, this is harmonious and appealing. A well-honed spine of mouthwatering acidity creates tension, while the flavor profile expands on the pointillism-like mousse. Bright, focused and mineral-driven, with a lasting finish."

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

• Wine: PN AYC21 – 2026 Release

• Country: France

• Region: Champagne

• Appellation: Champagne AOC

• Principal Cru: Aÿ (Grand Cru)

• Additional Crus: Tauxières and Mutigny

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir

• Style: Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne

• Base Vintage: 2021

• Blend: 51% from the 2021 harvest and 49% reserve wines

• Reserve Wines: Includes wines from 2012, 2013, and 2014, some preserved in magnums

• Vinification: Fermentation in stainless-steel vats and oak barrels

• Aging: More than twice the minimum required by the Champagne appellation

• Dosage: 8 g/L

• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV

• Bottle Size: 750ml

• Serving Temperature: 50–52°F (10–11°C)

• Cellaring Potential: Enjoy now or cellar for further development

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2014 

Vinous 98 Points | Bollinger’s 2014 La Grande Année is a great way to start the evening as guests mill around Wheeler Farms. It is early evening in Napa, but there is still plenty of action in the winery, where various lots are being pressed under the watchful eye of winemaker Nigel Kinsman. There are some moments where I would very much like to be a civilian, a regular person enjoying the night, but I am more concerned with our guests having a great night, so I quickly go back to check on our wines. The Bollinger 2014 is everything I expected; bright, focused and full of all the energy this late-ripening vintage conferred to the best wines. 

Producer Description 

La Grande Année: The Great Year. This Champagne is the embodiment of everything that makes Bollinger the producer that stands apart in Champagne. La Grande Année symbolizes the word “hand-crafted” so strongly that an overused word suddenly becomes the appropriate definition. 

La Grande Année is only produced in the most outstanding of vintages, where ripeness and acidity reach a perfect balance and aging potential is excellent.

Expert Review - Vintage 2015

Alison Napjus of the Wine Spectator writes 97 Points |  Like a racing spinnaker, this is tightly trimmed yet voluminous in character. Toasty notes of roasted almond and vanilla wafer are deftly integrated with sun-dried black cherry, baked peach, blood orange sorbet and candied ginger flavors, all well-defined by racy acidity and a subtle streak of salinity. This is long and fragrant, with pain d'épices, graphite and tea rose notes playing on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged February 2024. Drink now through 2040.

William Kelley of the Wine Advocate writes 96 Points | Bollinger's 2015 Brut La Grande Année Rosé was disgorged in May last year with seven grams per liter dosage. Offering up deep aromas of orchard fruits, blood orange, mandarin rind and peach mingled with nuances of coffee, praline and fino sherry, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and layered, with a broad attack that segues into a vinous palate framed by high levels of structuring dry extract that makes its presence felt on the sapid, nutty and penetrating finish. Given the skin maturity and inherent structure of the year, the Bollinger team elected to include only 4.5% of still red wine in the blend, a comparatively low percentage.