Champagne Bollinger, La Grand Année, Ay Grand Cru, Vallée de la Marne 2014

La Grande Année 2014 is an assembly of 19 crus, mostly in Aÿ and Verzenay for the 61% Pinot Noir and Chouilly and Oiry for the 39% Chardonnay.

Fermentation takes place entirely in oak barrels and the wine is aged, sealed with a natural cork, for more than twice the time required by the appellation. Dosage is moderate, 8 grams per liter.

To the eye, the Bollinger Grande Année 2014 is tinted with golden glints that reflect the wine’s maturity and Bollinger vinification techniques. On the nose, a precise and fruity aroma with a slight scent of sea-air. Aromas of cherry and lemon mingle with quince and bergamot. Then notes of hazelnut and almond, peach and mirabelle plum complete this wine’s range of aromas.

On the palate, the initial sensation is a fine and intense effervescence, followed by a wonderful vinosity, and then balanced with delicate acidity. Its very fine texture and sea-air finish bring excellent length on the palate, accompanied by a delicate minerality and the complex flavors of orchard fruit and citrus. This wine unfurls gradually, revealing its full potential and intensity.

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. At Bollinger, the 2014 vintage gave rise to a precise, fine and complex wine thanks to its minerality and exceptional intensity.