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Wine Description
The Story
Champagne Bollinger has understood the multiple profiles of La Côte aux Enfants in Aÿ, a legendary terroir established with great perseverance by the Jacques Bollinger himself between 1926 and 1934.
La Côte aux Enfants Champagne, the first cuvée from a Bollinger's single plot, offers wine enthusiasts an experience
truly unprecedented tasting experience. In this unique terroir Bollinger has chosen a single varietal, Pinot Noir, through which he has sought to reach the highest peak.
The experience becomes even more unique considering that compared to the rules of the appellation, the wine has stood on the bouchon liege twice as long.
La Côte aux Enfants Coteaux Champenois is a rarity in Champagne – a still red wine made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes from a legendary plot in Äy. Aged for 8 months in small oak barrels and released only in top vintages, it is surprisingly concentrated and powerful.
Vintage 2004
A great example of how large yields do not necessarily mean poor quality in Champagne. As a reaction to the previous year's low yields, the vines produced one of the largest crops on record. The growing season proceeded without major difficulties but the bumper crop called for bud thinning. August brought about cooler weather and some rains, increasing the risk of rot. The massive crop, averaging 13,990 kg/ha, was picked from September 18th onwards. The quality was a pleasant surprise; vibrant wines with appropriate intensity, refined charm and refreshing lightness. This vintage impresses me more and more, and I feel tempted to give it the full five stars. It comes with a rare balance of freshness, lightness, yet fine aromatic intensity. Post-release, this vintage has proven to be slow to age, and elegant wines are likely to keep on ageing gracefully. Dom Pérignon and Louis Roederer Cristal both excelled.
