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Wine Description
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....
Wine Information
Blend 66% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay
At Bollinger, only very high quality harvests become vintage.
2004 was quite a delicate year in Champagne, with a relatively dry winter and spring but a cold, wet end to the summer. The grapes were picked during a fine Indian summer which meant they were in an excellent state of health. All the conditions were favourable to give their grapes the special qualities necessary for the very best vintages.
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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 on...
