Bollinger Grande Annee 1996

Grande Annee 1996 - a legendary champagne that every champagne lover should taste

1996 is the last vintage in which Bollinger's vintage champagne is called ‘Grande Annee’. It later became ‘La Grande Annee’. Despite the fabulous 2008 and many great Grande Annees to date, 1996 is still the most powerful, most concentrated vintage of this wine, which first came onto the market with the 1983 vintage. Today it is even more impressive than the 1996 RD, which is still closed. The Grande Annee 1996 is delicious today, but not yet at its peak. We are not alone in our opinion that this is the best Bollinger you can drink today.

The 1996 vintage in Champagne is considered an exceptional year

1996 is characterised by a unique combination of high ripeness and exceptionally high acidity. This is a rare constellation, often referred to as ‘10/10’ (10 % potential alcohol at 10 g/l acidity). This was made possible by a warm summer with cool nights and northerly winds in September, which preserved freshness while promoting impressive phenolic ripeness. For many winemakers, the strong acidity posed a challenge, but those who utilised the potential correctly were able to produce wines with great depth, structure and remarkable longevity.

Richard Juhlin champagneclub.com 96 In many respects the wine is reminiscent of the critically acclaimed '90 with its exotically rich fruit and a timbre somewhat less masculine than in the more classic vintages. Nor does one find the Krug-like elegance that the '95 displays. But that could very well prove to be compensated for with the fantastically high acidity. A magnificent, powerful wine in all respects, which breathes more and more greatness every time I open a new bottle.

750 mL

12.5

Champagne

Pinot Noir & Chardonnay

Sulphites

• Brut

France

Champagne Bollinger, 16 Rue Jules Lobet, 51160 Ay, Frankreich