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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 2002
A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.