Special Cuvée, Brut,

Based on the 2019 vintage with 50% of reserve wines in the blend, the Bollinger’s Special Cuvée Brut NV is a fine-tuned assemblage of 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Meunier aged three on lees and finished with an eight grams per liter dosage. Brimming with aromas of ripe white peach, persimmon, lemon slice cookies, fresh brioche, and honey, the medium to full-bodied palate is textural and weighty with a succulent red fruit core trussed up beautifully by vivacious, racy acidity. Refreshing and focused, it finishes long and honeyed.

We commence with the fail-safe choice of sparkler, the NV Bollinger Special Cuvée. The nose is well defined with forward, bready and slightly nutty. The palate has an irresistible fatness that those who like razor-sharp champagne might turn their nose up at, yet I enjoy its almost sensual texture and the lack of pretension.