Bollinger : La Grande Année 2012

A prestigious vintage champagne by Bollinger

The estate

Timeless and legendary, the Bollinger Champagne House, nicknamed "Boll" by the inhabitants of the Champagne region and "Bolly" by the English, is part of an exclusive group of great Champagne houses. Champagne Bollinger’s style is defined by the exemplary precision brought to each step of the winemaking. The respect for traditions, riddling the bottles by hand, corking reserve magnum bottles, the last barrel maker in the Champagne region, the drive for excellence symbolises the whole culture of Champagne Bollinger. More than just an art, it is a heritage.

The vineyard

Bollinger's uniqueness comes from its 174 hectares divided into seven main vineyards, 85% of which are Grands Crus and Premiers Crus of Champagne, making the house one of the few to produce its own grapes for its blends. Pinot Noir, the house's signature grape variety, accounts for 60% of the vineyard's vines.

The wine

Grande Année 2012 is made up of 21 exceptional crus from the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims. The Pinot Noirs are mostly from Aÿ and Verzenay, the Chardonays completing the blend are mostly from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oiry.

The vintage

Grande Année Champagne is vinified only in the case of an exceptional vintage using perfectly balanced grapes. The 2012 vintage delivers generous, lively and complex wines.

Blend

Pinot Noir (65%)
Chardonnay (35%)

Characteristics and tasting tips for Grande Année 2012 from Bollinger

Tasting

Colour
Grande Année 2012 has a delicate golden hue.

Nose
The nose is expressive and complex. Warm scentss of honey and cereals mingle with notes of apricot, almond and hazelnut.

Palate
On the palate, La Grande Année stands out due to its exceptional texture and structure. Dense and persistent, the palate is surprisingly fresh and smooth, punctuated by a beautiful and bitter finish.

Service

We recommend serving La Grande Année 2012 at a temperature between 8 and 10°C in order to emphasise its style and scents.

Food and wine pairing

La Grande Année 2012 will pair perfectly with scallops, grilled oysters or Grifola frondosa with potatoes and truffles.