Yesterday, Guy de Rivoire, Commercial Director, introduced the 2012 to a St. John Smithfield restaurant packed full of merchants big and small. Guy told us that Bollinger sees it as the first of the new breed of warmer vintage Grande Annees – the winter was very mild but it was an August heatwave that transformed the quality. Frost in April reduced the yield: the crop averaged just 8,600 kg per hectare, little more than half the volume in 2004. A blend of 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay from 21 different crus, with Ay and Verzenay providing the backbone. The whole production was disgorged in May last year. What’s it like? Well, it’s certainly a different beast to the 2008. It’s riper and more open, with a creamy mousse and layers of toasty complexity but already more than a hint of that signature Bollinger undergrowth character. Despite the riper style, the wine has good acidity and should age well. Drink over the next 10-15 years. (AR 18/02/20)
- Producer
- Bollinger
- Origin
- Champagne, Champagne/sparkling wine FRANCE
- Colour
- white
- Wine Style
- dry
- Dominant Grape
- Pinot Noir
- Closure Style
- cork
- Maturity
- drink or keep
- Bottle Size
- 75cl
- Case Quantity
- 6
- Alcohol
- 12%
- Wine Score
- 94 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, August 2020
95 points, Richard Juhlin, champagneclub.com, February 2020
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Media Reviews
Antonio Galloni
The 2012 Grande Année is vibrant and wonderfully nuanced. Citrus peel, orchard fruit, brioche, dried flowers and chamomile are all finely knit in a Grand Année built on energy and persistence more than size. Readers will find a restrained Grand Année in 2012. There is plenty of the textural richness that is such a signature of the house style, but I am also struck by the wine`s freshness. Best of all, the 2012 will drink well right out of the gate. It is quite expressive today, even in the early going. 94 points
Richard Juhlin
I love the magical moment when I get the chance, as the first journalist, to lighten the cork of the latest vintage of Bollinger La Grande Année…….The wine is made from 21 villages with Aÿ and Verzenay in the driver`s seat backed by elegance from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oiry. The wine is characterized by vitality and energy more than depth at present. The color has a brilliant golden glow and the mousse is almost panting in its resilient youthfulness. The scent is beautifully house typical, dominated by apricot, almond, hazelnut and a smoky sophisticated intensity as from a newly lit outdoor fire. The attack is stunningly intense and the weight in the oral cavity leaves nothing left to wish for. Resilient energy and fullness are combined with greatness. Anyone who has patience will be rewarded with truffled flavor layers, chocolate saturated complexity and added exoticism of honeysuckle in the wine`s bouquet. 95 points
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