Bollinger Champagne Special Cuvée Brut: Licensed to Thrill!

"Efficiency is doing things right; effectiveness is doing the right things." - Peter Drucker

Believe me, quite a bit went right creating this Special Cuvee, which is why it's my pleasure to review this bubbly today. Fresh from a Champagne tasting today on a very soggy Sunday, I am quickly reminded that Champagne is not just for New Years Eve or only to celebrate special occasions anymore, no it's for the everyday celebrations of life. This is a message that bears repeating, as the Champagne Bureau also likes to remind folks while yes Champagne is great for moments of celebration, it's also a great wine to accompany many types of meals and or appetizers and of course who could forget that Champagne, is also is a great bar-staple to have in the cellar. 

While I understand that not every day, most of us will want a glass of bubbly [but some will], I still strongly recommend it as a way to instill some sizzle into the fizzle of your everyday life. Gentlemen take a tip from 007, a little bouquet and a tipple of Champagne can be all the difference between romance and another night of re-runs and a bowl of popcorn. Nothing stirs a women's heart quite like the pop of a champagne cork. if you know what I mean. What Champagne would you order or bring to your next party or celebration? Perhaps your thinking hmm, what would Bond do? 

That's right your thinking WWBD, then your Champagne of choice is Bollinger. Some folks may not be aware but it's Champagne Bollinger which has been featured as 007's Champagne of Choice in many of Ian Fleming's novels, as well as many of the movies we all know and love.

List of Bollinger champagnes used in the movies:

Live and Let Die: Bollinger ...

Moonraker: Bollinger RD '69

View to a Kill: Bollinger '75

License to Kill: Bollinger RD '75

The Living Daylights: Bollinger ...

Goldeneye: Bollinger Grande Année 1988

Tomorrow Never Dies: Bollinger Grande Année 1989

The World Is Not Enough: Bollinger Grande Année 1990

Die Another Day: Bollinger '61

Casino Royale: Bollinger Grande Année 1990

According to the The Bond Life Style

"The relationship began when the Broccoli-Wilson family, producers of the Bond films, sought a wine to match Bond's impeccable taste and refined personality. Not surprisingly, they chose Champagne Bollinger, long acknowledged as one of the world's finest Champagnes. A mutual friendship developed between the Broccoli-Wilson family and the Bollinger family, and Champagne Bollinger has remained a Bond favorite even as the torch has been passed from Roger Moore to Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and now Daniel Craig [who's my least favorite Bond, btw].

About Bollinger: At the Official Champagne Bollinger website you will find that Bollinger relies on its own estate for more than 60 percent of its grape requirements, including the Pinot Noir that gives its Champagne much of its distinctive strength and structure. Bollinger is one of a select few houses that can control the quality of its grape supply so carefully. Bollinger is renowned for its use of traditional methods that include extensive use of Pinot Noir, individual vinification of each marc and cru, barrel fermentation and extra-aging of all of its Champagnes on the lees prior to disgorgement."

More about Bollinger: Founded in 1829, Champagne Bollinger introduced the world to an instantly recognizable, dry, toasty style that connoisseurs around the globe covet. Six generations of the Bollinger family have maintained the trademark style of their namesake Champagne and it is one of a few remaining Grande Marque houses owned, controlled and managed by the same family since its founding.

Wiki on Champagne: The French region of Champagne (comprised of the towns of Rheims, Epernay, and Ay) was the first region in the world to make sparkling wine in any quantity. Today, the name of the region is synonymous with the finest of all sparkling wines, and winemaking traditions of Champagne have become role models for sparkling wine producers, worldwide. Surprisingly, the region of Champagne is now responsible for only one bottle in 12 of all sparkling wine produced. Styles of champagne range from the basic brut (often blends of several vintages), single vintage champagnes, and rose.

Wine Reviewed:  Bollinger "Special Cuvée" Brut Champagne

First Swirl: Seemed to show some power and grace and displayed golden, small and persistent bubbles.

First Sniff: The aroma is very nuanced with lots of nuts, apples and honey. There is also a clear touch of bread and oak. Some how I get the presence of goat cheese on freshly made toast, weird huh?

First Sip: The mousse suited me very well with it's small and soft bubbles, the acidity was strong without becoming too bitter and the full body was wonderful. Refreshing acidity. I would say another good showing from one of the most reliable [non-vintage] NVs out there.
 
Composition and Treatment: Okay so maybe your wondering what are the grapes [yep, said grapes plural because it's a blend] that are used and how did it get those toasty notes, I mentioned above; "well this Pinot Noir-dominated blend undergoes its first fermentation in small oak barrels with an average age of 30 years—a technique believed to produce a more expressive, terroir-driven wine with longer aging potential due to its early oxidation" - Champagne Bollinger
 
My Recommendation: Drink it now and often or tuck one away for 10 years - this wine will easily stand some aging. I know this is wine is on the somewhat expensive side of the spectrum, but it is definitely worth your time and a pocket book [or wallet].
 
Cuvée Corner Wine Blog Score: Hey point seekers here's my score if your interested: This wine scored 90 points on the Cuvee Corner 100 point tasting scale and could have scored higher with a lower price point, as QPR is taken into account for each review.
 
Where to Purchase: You can pick up this wonderful Champagne at your local Bevmo here in San Diego, but be sure to call first as the depth of stock on this product is not that great. You can also you the wine-searcher search tool located here on my blog to locate this wine in your own neighborhood. Bevmo is selling this wine for $59.99 and taking a look around the web this is a pretty representative price for this product.

Other Voices: The folks at Wine News Mag had this to say; Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut Champagne has baked apple, peach and orange marmalade aromas; crisp and acidic with flavors of mixed grains, apple and orange zest. They gave this wine 93 PTS and everyones pal over at the beloved Wine Spectator gave this wine a rating of 91 points.