Bollinger is one big house who gets it right. Nice bread dough nose. Has rich intense flavors of strawberries,ginger, stones and citrus yet is very focused and elegant. Not sloppy fat and not austere, in other words, just right. A very persistent mouthfeel and finish. Pretty little bubbles in the glass. I loved it and will buy more. At $50…worth it and a big step up from some recent smaller grower champagnes I’ve had! 92pts
Now I have to pop one 2nite.
Great note Craig. I wish it were still $39.99 but $50 sounds like a deal compared to some pricing I see ($65!). One of my favorites and they seem to taste better the longer you let them rest in your cellar. I’m with Paul, wish I had a glass of Bolly in my hands right now.
Always liked this NV, remember buying it in the mid-20’s several years ago, then the price took off, but I could say this about a number of wines.
+1
Always a favorite for me, I think I favor bubblies that have some oak.
Whole-heartedly agree – definitely a favorite – using w-s, there are some places that start at $40
+1
There has been interesting movement in prices on the Bolly NV. Five or so years ago they were discounted rather heavily and in cases were sub $35 even in the poor Texas Champagne market. The prices crept up to $45-$50 where they stayed for awhile before Fall of 08. While the financial world was exploding Bollinger raised the price again. I saw it locally for $75-$85pb (!). No way, no how at that price.
Forward to present - I’m seeing it now for around $50 locally and is probably worth it at that price. I picked up some on close-out for $39 a couple of months ago. Other than some variation in lot numbers Bolly NV usually delivers.
Early on in my champagne days this was a treble hook for me. There was no escaping after my first bottle of this which had a few years of age on it. I can still remember a distinctive white chocolate on the palate that blew me away.
I wonder if I had a different lot during my recent trip to Burgundy, as I had a cople of glasses of this on different evenings and found the examples very, very sweet with a much heavier-handed dosage than had been the case in the past. I used to be in absolute accord with all of the positive comments about this bottling, as I liked the “older Champagne” aspect found in this cuvee that was very much in line with the house style. But it had been a few years since I crossed paths with the Brut NV, and I found the wine sweet to the point of not being able to finish the second glass later on in the trip… and after ten to twelve hours in the cellars, I was really in need of a glass of Champagne!
Best,
John
This has been my favorite NV for the several years, even above Krug NV. Texas pricing usually runs $75 and up, thanks to our screwy laws. The cheapest I have seen it in Dallas recently has been on sale for the holidays at $60. I have been on a sabbatical from Texas bought wines for two years due to these laws. 
I may have to cut off my nose to spite my face on this one.
+1. Last nights bottle was cellared at least 3yrs and has improved and developed some toastyness. 
Yes I really like this with a couple(at least) years of bottle age on it!
Cheers
Rip
PSA- I just picked up a bottle for $45 at Canal’s in Marlton, NJ with the club member discount. ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers"){kind=small}
About 4 years ago I bought a couple of magnums for $90 each. May have to pop one to celebrate 2011.
I haven’t had any recent bottlings of this as the price crept up a bit too high, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the sweetness is a recent change in dosage to make it more appealing to the general consumer.
Can’t say, but having had a couple of bottles of the most recent release Bolly NV in the last week, neither fit a “sweet” description…
With all the focus on grower champagnes in recent years I was almost ashamed to admit my affection for this wine. So another +1 from me.
Tom
With all these post, now I will have to go out and get some