Bollinger La Grande Année 2004

Drinking any glass of Bollinger for me is like the taste equivalent of listening to Adele… soulful, powerful and rich. Her voice can move you, break your heart, make you want to cry and fall in love all at once. And La Grande Année is like rolling in the deep… I can feel “a fire starting in my heart, reaching a fever pitch, and it’s bringing me out the dark.”

But for the more technically minded, let’s take a look at the wine in more traditional terms…

Bollinger La Grande Année 2004 

While it’s technically a vintage (the Bollinger cuvée de prestige is the Bollinger R.D.), La Grande Année really sits a cut above most vintage champagnes for me.

I simply love the rich, oaky, masculinity of Bollinger. Bollinger uses a high percentage of pinot noir in La Grande Année wines – about 70% compared to the Special Cuvée [or NV] is about 60% pinot noir, 25% chardonnay, 15% meunier. The pinot content alongside the oak barrel fermentation and the exceptional Grand Crus selection for the grapes produces rich, strong, robust, divine wines that are well suited to special occasions and meal times.

I first tried La Grande Année at a Bollinger Dinner at Palazzo Versace (picture below) and was struck by the beauty and the power of the champagnes. La Grande Année is loaded with vanilla and spice and even a little burnt orange.

With a friend at the Bollinger champagne dinner, Palazzo Versace

About the wine

While it’s technically a vintage (the Bollinger cuvée de prestige is the Bollinger R.D.), La Grande Année really sits a cut above most vintage champagnes for me.

La Grande Année 2004 blend is 67% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 8g/l dosage

Nougat, almond, vanilla, brioche and a hint of coconut

To find out more visit Champagne Bollinger – they have a fantastic blog with lots of great info about the wines, the house and their wine making techniques.

Trying these for homework? Make sure you post a pic and tag @bubbleandflute #champagneschool and let me know what you think