BOLLINGER Brut 'La Grande Annee' 2015 Bottle

Description

This unique expression of the 2015 vintage is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from 11 crus, with the fruit coming exclusively from Grand Crus and Premier Crus; mainly Aÿ and Verzenay for the Pinot Noir, Chouilly and Avize for the Chardonnay. And the 2015 is a wonderful success. The wine offers freshness and there is little surprise that Champagne Bollinger’s signature rich, open style shines through.

2015 is a vintage remembered for its classic growth cycle. A particularly mild winter gave way to a varied spring followed by intense heat. It was a glorious summer with plenty of sunshine and little rain. Champagne Bollinger are privileged to have large vineyard holdings and 85% of the 179 hectares belonging to the House are Grands crus and Premiers crus. This allowed them to be diligent in the vineyard and severe selection really paid off. The ripening of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays was given a boost at the end of August by some long-awaited rainfall. The crops were harvested in mid-September under the cool autumnal skies, giving rise to elegant, fresh and fruity wines, worthy of labelling as true “classics”.

The wonderful smoky, nutty and caramel tones imparted by Bollinger’s distinct oak barrel fermentation are already present and the reserve wines, aged for up to 10 years en magnum, add to its exceptional aromatic intensity.

93-95 points Richard Juhlin
(Richard Juhlin is the world's number one champagne expert, most famous for his skills in blind tasting. World record for most champagne ever tasted.)

96 points – Tyson Stelzer
(Tyson Stelzer is an Australia-based Decanter contributor and Champagne expert, as well as an international speaker and presenter.)