Bollinger La Grande Annee 2014

Mineralische Frische, Eleganz, rote Frucht, etwas Apfel, eine perfekt integrierte Holzwürze vom Eichenfass... La Grande Annee ist so anders heute, wobei 2014 die Entwicklung abschließt. Eher ein Selosse Cote Faron also ein nussig, schokoladiger, voller, oxidativer klassischer Bollinger Jahrgangschampagner. Wir haben nicht geahnt, dass es 2014 solche Pinot Noir Trauben gibt, aber für mich ist es jung verkostet der beste Grande Anneee. Dieses Jahr gibt es aber.mit 39 Prozent mehr Chardonnay als üblich der sich mit frischen zitrischen Aromen von Orangenschale zeigt. La Grande Annee 2014 ist sehr mineralisch mit Noten von Iod und Austernschale. Ihm fehlt es nicht an Kraft, aber er beeindruckt vor allem mit Frische und Eleganz. Der oxidative Stil dieser Cuvee mit den klassischen Apfel und Walnuss Aromen scheint verändert. Dieser Champagner ist schon jetzt erstaunlich komplett

Antonio Galloni vinous.com 98 The 2014 La Grande Année is stunning. In fact, it is one of the best recent editions I can remember tasting. What comes through most is the wine’s sizzling energy and tension, qualities that aren’t often associated with Bollinger, where the Champagnes tend to show more breadth and volume. In 2014, readers will find a Grande Année built on linear intensity and drive. The 2014 is a blend taken from 19 villages, 61% Pinot Noir and 39% Chardonnay instead of the more typical 70/30 mix. For the second time in two decades (the first was 2007), Verzenay takes the lead in the Pinots over Aÿ, more or less an inverse from the norm. Verzenay, a north-facing village in the Montagne de Reims that saw less rain than Aÿ and most of the Vallée de la Marne, yields Pinots of energy more than volume. That, married with Chardonnays mostly from the Côtes des Blancs (predominantly Chouilly, Vertus, Oiry and Cramant), results in a truly magical Grande Année that will delight Champagne fans for several decades. I can’t recommend the 2014 highly enough. It’s a total knock-out

Wine Spectator 97 Racy acidity drives this mouthwatering Champagne, enlivening the rich panoply of flavors. Features a fine and creamy mousse that's still a lively springboard for aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, glazed tangerine, roasted hazelnut, ground coffee, pickled ginger and white blossoms. Long and satiny, with minerally salt and chalk notes gaining momentum on the lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged July 2021. Drink now through 2037.

Richard Juhlin champagneclub.com 96(94) I belong to the group of people that believes that Bollinger above all shows its greatness in lighter and more elegant vintages as the inherent Pinot-driven masculine power they possess is always sufficient. In the grand generous vintages, one must fight hard to hold back the rumbling force and maintain freshness and sublime details. 2014 is a textbook example in the lighter category. Many champagnes from 2014 are simply too light, vague, and floral in nature, but this does not apply in any way to Bollinger La Grande Année. Here, they have beautifully navigated their way between the grains of the vintage and instead focused on its merits. The champagne is thus clearer and more elegant with a higher proportion of Chardonnay from Chouilly and Oiry than usual to include and embrace the citrusy and floral sides. The extremely intense aroma is otherwise dominated by a marked air of sea breezes, sea urchins, oyster shells, iodine and gunpowder smoke originating from Verzenay. There is also a light note of hazelnut and leather from Aÿ. The combination of these pillars and all complementary villages also gives a delicate fruit with hints of orange citrus, peach, and Mirabelle plum. The aromas come again in the fine and medium-bodied taste with an added note of the finest vanilla and fresh cep in olive oil. Overall, this is an extremely beautiful and complex Bollinger on the finer and more elegant half of the whole. I love how you find new little details in a harmonious simplicity with each new sip. Fascinating and beautiful already, grand as R.D. in 10 years or more and without a doubt one of the vintage's rare hits.