2005 Bollinger La Grande Année
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Tasting notes
An elegant and admirably pure nose of citrus, brioche, white orchard fruit and floral scents is less marked by the ripeness of the vintage than many 2005s today though the large format bottling undoubtedly helps. There is fine richness to the medium weight flavors that are beautifully vibrant thanks to the firm but fine mousse supporting the dry but not austere finale that exhibits excellent complexity. In general I find the 2005s to be somewhat hit and miss but this is a beauty.
Critic scores
Richard Juhlin
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Disgorged January 2016. Magnum. Tasted blind. Very rich nose. Then slight fade on the end. Very well-balanced wine. Some sweetness on the end. (JR)
Bollinger's 2005 La Grande Année is a classical but comparatively precocious rendition of this cuvée that's already drinking well, offering up aromas of honeyed yellow apples, dried white flowers, English walnuts, praline and tea leaves. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a fine mousse, ripe acids and a dry, richly saline finish. It was disgorged with six grams per liter dosage after more than nine years sur lattes. While this isn't a historic vintage for Bollinger—or for Champagne as a whole—it's a persuasive Grande Année that exemplifies the house style.
Already quite deep gold. Beefy and substantial with both breadth and depth but also great refreshment value. Real Bollinger character. (JR)
About the producer
Bollinger is one of the most renowned and coveted Champagne Houses in the world, famous for its Pinot-Noir-dominant wines, in particular La Grande Année and the rare Vieilles Vignes Françaises (from pre-phylloxera vines).