Personal advice
2000 was a warm year, which is reflected in the opulent fruit and creamy palate. The nutty aromas are not yet as pronounced here as in 1999 and are rounded off with notes of honey, caramel, and yeast. The vintage has rather low acidity overall. The freshness that the Grande Année 2000 shows on the finish is therefore a positive surprise.
It combines ripe, opulent fruit, toasted nuts, brioche, and subtle minerality – a full-bodied, enjoyable Bollinger that is now at its optimal drinking window.
After an early good growing start, a wet July followed with hail damage. August and September were sunny and dry. Harvest began in mid-September with grapes at perfect ripeness. Yields were rather high, however, and acidity often rather low. The vintage is very good but produced few truly exceptional wines.