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  • Country ranking ?

    1 291
  • Producer ranking ?

    80
  • Decanting time

    15min
  • When to drink

    2020-2035
  • Food Pairing

    Seafood, Salads & Consommes

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The Story

La Grande Année is the very embodiment of an exceptional, timeless champagne. Artisanal savoir-faire is at the heart of its production. One such artisanal technique is vinification, which takes place in oak barrels that are around 20 years old. This helps the wine develop complex aromas, and, thanks to micro-oxygenation, lends an extraordinary ageing potential. These 4,000 barrels are housed and maintained in the Champagne Bollinger Cooperage. Bollinger is the only Champagne House to have a resident cooper. 

All Bollinger vintages, including La Grande Année, are riddled and disgorged entirely by hand, a process which takes place after the wine has long been aged on its lees, in bottles sealed with cork. These rigorous, artisanal techniques contribute to making La Grande Année a truly hand-crafted wine.

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Vintage 2005

 The 2005 vintage was a year of marked contrasts between seasons and regions. Following a fairly harsh winter, 2005 had a mild spring with relatively warm temperatures all year long. There was above average sunshine and a slight water deficit, as had been the case throughout the dry cycle of 2005/2004 and 2003. The heat and humidity in July produced larger grapes and bunches, rather unusually for the Champagne region, while the cooler weather in August, followed by a very sunny month of September, led to favourable ripening in spite of heavy parasite pressure. The harvest dates were “typical” of those of the decade: September 12th for Chardonnays and the following day for Pinots Noirs.

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Latest Pro-tasting notes

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Written Notes

‘Bollinger makes the heaviest and richest of all the Champagnes. The first fermentation takes place as usual in oak barrels and the final blend contains wines from 16 different villages, all Grand Cru (88%) or Premier Cru (12%). Their wines are always a smoky and fragrant hazelnut complexity that is hard to beat. Since the year 1990 made ​​vintage wines from Bollinger in a little fruitier more scented with peaches  with slightly less pronounced smokiness and nuttiness. Aÿ and Verzenay are in full control. I love when Bollinger leaves the Pinot Noir in the driving seat like this. The sweet, flirty vintage is never really my cup of tea. But here its turned into an advantage. The classic hazelnuttyness becomes Sicilian pistachio and nougat, the dark cocoa notes turnes into pure heavenly milk chocolate. Despite this obvious Nirvana of pleasure there is a great seriousity and sleeping animalistic power- Personaly I am so impressed that I consider the wine fully mature from the release. A great Bollinger vintage indeed.’

  • 94p

An exclusive assemblage of Grands Crus and Premiers Crus, the first fermentation of La Grande Annee is always carried out in oak barrel, a process unique to the winemaking traditions of Champagne. Bollinger makes use of well seasoned, prior use barrels, five years of age and more, to avoid any obvious new oak influence or unwanted tannins. La Grande Annee ages under the Bollinger cellars for at least six years. After a manual disgorgement, La Grande Annee is treated to a small liqueur dosage of 7 g/L to 9 g/L, before resting a minimum of three months prior to release. This short respite permits the wine to digest it's liqueur d'expedition and recover perfect balance.


Shimmering golden hue, the finest bead and most delicate effervescence, its delicate blush and old gold hue are a sign of maturity. Bouquet shows creamy oak barrel, toasted bread and brandied fruit, notes of exotic spice, rhubarb and stone fruit. A palate of remarkable structure and length, magically retaining its freshness. To accompany fine consommé, the freshest fish and ripest fromage Comté.

  • 92p
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Information

Origin

Ay, Champagne

Other wines from this producer

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Bollinger Collection

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PN TX 17

PN VZ15

PNVZ16

R.D. Bollinger

RD Collection

Rosé

Special Cuvée

Verzenay Réserve

Vieilles Vignes Françaises

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Vins Clairs Cramant Vinifié en Fût

Vintage Champagne

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