The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
Bollinger La Grande Année Rosé is an alternative expression of La Grande Année, transformed by the addition, at blending, of the unique red wine from La Côte aux Enfants. The emblematic single plot of the House, located in Aÿ, produces still red wine only when the grapes reach perfect ripeness. After vinification in small aged oak barrels and a prolonged ageing on its lees, even today every bottle of La Grande Année Rosé is riddled and disgorged by hand. This reflects all the expertise of the House, able to create a cuvée whose quality is matched only by its rarity.
This champagne has an appearance with pinkish glints. A real mosaic of fruit aromas of raspberry, wild strawberries, and cherries. Notes of peach and quince complete this fruity bouquet. This wine is characterised by its creamy effervescence, splendid volume in the mouth and long aromatic persistence. Its wonderful acidity and sea-air characteristics appear alongside flavours of orchard fruits and berries.
Wine Information
2004 Blend /68% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay
89% Grands crus, 11% Premiers Crus
5% red Côte aux Enfants wine
At Bollinger, only very high quality harvests become vintage: vintage 2004 gives us beautifully wine-like champagne, with pleasant hints of a great Pinot Noir
Maturation
Cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the Appellation
"La Grande Année Rosé 2004 enhances and complements perfectly the subtlest gourmet experiences. This powerful and complex champagne is perfect for a romantic dinner, adding a touch of infinite seduction.
To fully appreciate its unique style, bouquet and aromas, La Grande Année Rosé 2004 is best served between 10 and 12°c.
You can enjoy La Grande Année Rosé 2004 right away, or choose to age it in your cellar… for more than 10 years."
Mathieu Kauffmann, Cellar Master
Madame Bollinger agreed to a Bollinger rosé under one condition, it had to be extraordinary, and that is how La Grande Année Rosé was born: The unique blend between a great vintage champagne and a red wine from a unique plot, the legendary Côte aux Enfants. To produce a red wine of such high quality in the champagne region is a challenge: a rare treat, a true Bollinger.
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.
