£138.95 / bottle
3 in stock
| Origin | Champagne, France |
|---|---|
| Main Grapes | Pinot Noir |
| Other Grapes | Chardonnay |
| Vintages | 2014 |
| Bottle Sizes | 75cl |
| Website | Champagne Bollinger |
Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee is a vintage Champagne only produced in exceptional years and it is considered to be Bollinger’s prestige Champagne. The wine is exclusively vinified in small aged oak barrels, and is cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation.
Champagne Bollinger can trace its origins back to 1829 when the company was established by Jacques Bollinger. It remains, to this day, one of the few independently, family-owned Champagne houses. Like most Champagne houses Bollinger uses grapes from their own vineyards and also buys fruit in from growers. Bollinger own some 164 hectares of vineyards in the best Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites, the majority of which is Pinot Noir, therefore most of Bollinger’s Champagnes have a higher proportion of Pinot Noir than most other Champagnes. The grapes for Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année are sourced from only Premier and Grand Cru rated vineyards.
Champagne Bollinger La Grande Annee 2014 is a blend of 61% Pinot Noir and 39% from 19 different crus: mainly Aÿ and Verzenay for the Pinot Noir and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oiry for the Chardonnay. The first fermentation takes place entirely in old oak barrels. Only the “cuvée” juice (i.e. juice from the first pressing of the grapes) is used for making La Grande Année and the entire primary fermentation takes place in old oak barrels, an uncommon practice in Champagne. The wine is aged on its lees for a minimum of 5 years and, after manual riddling and disgorging, the wine rests for a minimum of 3 months prior to release. Dosage is moderate for the 2014 at 8 g/L. Winemaker is Gilles Descotes.
The 2014 vintage gave rise to a wine that is simultaneously structured, rich and complex, in terms of both its minerality and exceptional intensity.
Champagne Bollinger has a long association with James Bond and La Grande Année features in the Daniel Craig film Casino Royale.
From Bollinger:
“To the eye, the delicate colour and golden hues reflect the wine’s maturity and reflective of Bollinger’s wine-making methods. The nose displays precise and fruity notes with a hint of sea-air. Aromas of cherry and lemon intertwine with quince and bergamot, followed by notes of hazelnut and almond, peach and mirabelle plum. On the palate, the initial sensation is a delicate effervescence followed by wonderful vinosity balanced with delicate acidity. Its very fine texture and saline finish bring excellent length to the palate, accompanied by delicate minerality and complex flavours of orchard fruit and citrus. The wine unfurls gradually, revealing its full potential and wonderful intensity.”
La Grande Année 2014 is the perfect champagne for gourmet food such as Flame-cooked Pyrenees milk-fed lamb, Langoustine ravioli or foie gras. Also delicious with Mediterranean Sea Bass, Grenailles potatoes, myrtle, and
lemongrass. Best served between 8 and 10°C. Ready to enjoy now but will age well in the cellar for up to 15 years.
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