Bollinger   La Grande Annee

2000 La Grande Annee

By Bollinger

2000 La Grande Année from Bollinger

The turn of the millennium was marked by Mother Nature with a distinctly expressive crop, the captivating symbol of which is the 2000 La Grande Année from Bollinger. An embodiment of the extraordinary character presented by the year's climatic conditions, this effervescent offering from Bollinger excels in communicating its grand vintage with eloquence and panache.

 

Millennial Magic in Bollinger’s Mastery

Zephyrs of early frost and summer heat ushered the harvest of 2000, embedding a remarkable structure set to achieve episodic expressions of ripeness and acidity. Each sip unveils this multi-layered character, while honouring the Bollinger tradition of excellence. An investment into the 2000 La Grande Année isn't merely financial; it's a cultivation of sensory wealth, a testament to an esteemed heritage.

This vintage bubbles with notes of candied citrus and toasted brioche, threading hints of honeyed almonds through the palate. The construction is complex, rose-tinted in body yet icy crisp around its edges.

 

Temperature trials triumph for Bollinger

The year 2000 was marked with climatic oscillations in the Champagne region. Freezing frosts early in the year wrestled with balmy summer rays, but these trials bore glorious fruit. The 2000 La Grande Année is proof that seasoned expertise can harness unexpected weather in crafting a masterpiece vintage.

In its maturity, this offering beams with caramelised apple hues, glimmering against its golden complexion. A lavish sensation, it proves how iconic champagne houses like Bollinger are capable of sculpting seasonal volatility into veiled elegance.

For the astute collector or investor seeking a blend that personifies millennial magic kneaded in by masterful hands, look no further than the 2000 La Grande Année from Bollinger; a nuanced conversation between time-tested tradition and unique vintage character.

Current market price

$2,830.00

12x75cl

Highest score

93

POP score

130.77

Scores and tasting notes

93

The 2000 Brut La Grande Annee is a ripe, open wine bursting with generous, expansive fruit. Smoke, minerals, pastry crust and flowers add complexity to the radiant fruit. The Grande Annee reveals gorgeous depth and a multi-dimensional, kaleidoscopic personality that screams of pure breed. The 2000 will be a fascinating vintage to follow. I am not sure it has the freshness to be an extremely long-lived wine, but it does a fabulous job in capturing the Bollinger house style. The 2000 Grande Annee is 63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay of which 76% is Grand Cru and 24% is Premier Cru. This is Lot L911736. Disgorged January 19, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. This is an exceptional set of new wines from Bollinger, one of Champagne’s historic houses. From top to bottom, there isn’t anything Bollinger isn’t doing well these days. I recently sat down with Chef de Caves Matthieu Kaufmann to taste through a range of the house’s 2009s. Readers will find notes on that tasting on www.erobertparker.com One of the distinguishing features of the Bollinger style is the aging of reserve wines in magnum under cork (not crown seal), a painstaking labor of love. Bollinger also has some of the most informative back labels among the region’s larger producers. It would be great to see Krug, Moet & Chandon, Roederer, Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot and a number of the region’s big houses follow suit. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 22 December 2010

Vintage performance