La Grande Annee 2014
An Intense and Mineral Vintage by Bollinger Champagne
Bollinger Champagne: A Timeless Sophistication and Finesse
Stylish and sleek, complex and powerful, smooth, charming and debonair… These are just a few words to describe the iconic British secret agent James Bond and his favorite champagne, Bollinger. Founded in 1829 in the commune of Aÿ-Champagne, the House of Bollinger boasts an impressive winemaking legacy and a style that stands out for its polished precision. In the cellar, ancestral techniques are preserved at all costs and blended seamlessly with modern innovation to produce a champagne with an enduring and timeless alure. The Champagnes of Bollinger shine with an understated elegance in a lean yet muscular style brough about by Pinot Noir harvested from the region’s most celebrated vineyards.
La Grande Annee: An Embodiment of Bollinger Champagne’s Traditional Expertise
An iconic vintage cuvée produced only in the best years by the legendary Bollinger Champagne House, La Grande Annee stands as a pure embodiment of the House’s traditional expertise. As such, it is vinified exclusively in small, aged oak barrels, which leads to the development of very fine aromas. The only Champagne House to have a resident cooper, Bollinger is the proud owner of 4,000 barrels housed and maintained at the Bollinger Cooperage. In line with the traditional craft method of creating great Champagne, each bottle of La Grande Annee is riddled and disgorged by hand. These unique artisanal techniques make La Grande Annee a truly hand-crafted Champagne.
A Precise and Fruity Nose with a Touch of Sea Breeze…
In the glass, the La Grande Annee 2014 reveals a deep golden color, which reflects its maturity and depth, as well as Bollinger’s unique vinification techniques. The nose is precise, pouring forth aromas of cherries, lemon, quince and bergamot. A hint of sea breeze rounds out this fruit, while nutty touches of almond and hazelnut enhance the bouquet. On the palate, we discover an intense effervescence, a delicate acidity and wonderful balance. The wine gradually unfurls flavors of citrus and orchard fruits, along with a subtle minerality and the same unmistakable note of sea breeze. The finish lingers long, echoing this champagne’s intensity and great potential.
A Structured, Rich and Complex La Grande Annee
Bollinger Champagne: La Grande Annee 2014Born from a blend of 61% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay, this La Grande Annee vintage was produced from high-quality fruit from 19 crus in Champagne. The Pinot Noir comes from mostly Ay and Verzenay, while Chardonnay hails from Chouilly and Oiry.
As in the case with each vintage of this prestige cuvee, the La Grande Annee 2014 was fermented exclusively in aged oak barrels, which are around 20 years old. The micro-oxygenation involved in this vinification technique leads to the creation of complex aromas and extraordinary aging potential.
Each bottle of La Grande Annee 2014 riddled and disgorged meticulously by hand and sealed with a natural cork before aging in the Bollinger cellar for twice the time required by the appellation. This Brut champagne receives a moderate dosage of 8 grams per liter.
The vintage Champagnes of the Bollinger House are produced only in the highest quality harvests and the year 2014 gave rise to an exceptional wine. This vintage stands out for its historic structure, richesse and complexity.
A Champagne that shines brightest with fine cuisine…
A vintage champagne with extraordinary intensity and finesse, La Grand Cuvee 2014 will shine brightest when paired with equally fine cuisine. Some of the Bollinger House’s recommendations? Flame-cooked milk-fed lamb served with zucchini in a creamy curry or yoghurt sauce. The notes of sea breeze in the wine’s bouquet will be further elevated with fine seafood pairings. Taste this vintage of La Grande Cuvee with langoustine ravioli, Mediterranean sea bass or King scallops pan-fried in citrus butter.
We are pleased to introduce you to the La Grande Annee 2014, now available at Millesima USA. As in the case of all our prestige champagnes, quantities are limited, so order while supplies last!
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