France

Fish

Aperitif/avec

Shellfish

Chardonnay

Pinot Noir

Bollinger

Bollinger La Grande Annee

Champagne

Champagne, brut

La Grande Année 2008: A Master and Commander⚜️

House: Bollinger (Aÿ)
Bottle: La Grande Année 2008
Grapes: 71 % Pinot Noir & 29 % Chardonnay
Dosage: 7 g/L (Brut)

With this wine the house of Bollinger demonstrates its exceptional mastery of a unique vintage as the 2008 while establishing a commanding lead among producers of first class Pinot Noir champagnes.

Characteristics:
Visually, the wine presents itself in a grey-golden shade with fairly small, welcoming bubbles. 

On the nose, it delivers a sweet but distinct note of the oak barrels it was born in, alongside flower fields topped with hints of dandelion honey.

The hint of honey is carried over to the palate, where also pineapple and blackberries shine through surrounded by white flowers, green apples and a touch of minerality in form of chalk to provide a rich and velvety impression. The oak barrels, of course, would not dare to leave your side.

These wonderful aromas are elegantly distributed in a very structured body, jointly providing a richness of the wine which makes the taste last for eternities, not least due to the persistent but quiet acidity. 

The bottle delivers in all aspects, but not least together with food - a nice sous vide cooked autumn style steak truly augments the greatness and strength of the wine, second to no redwine even with steak.

The above sums up to a wine with a confident and recumbent expression, unmatched in balance and elegance; a silent ruler resting on a rock of pure pinot noir know-how. 

Value for Money: 9 of 10
Rating: 96🍾


Expert

Åpenbart PN drevet champagne, mye rød frukt på nesen, rosefloralitet, kompleks sitrus og bakst, med luft litt preg av eplekjeller med vinterepler, sitrusolje og et moden vaniljeaktig mineralsk preg, med mer luft så er det lag på lag av kompleksitet som åpenbares. I munnnen er det mye det samme som på nesen, litt mer tydelig fatpreg, uten at det trekker ned nevneverdig når frukten er så intens som her. Stålsyre og enorm kraft i denne. Rene bobler, bygger kompleksitet med luft. Lang ettersmak der både epler, røde bær, mineraler og litt røykpreg sitter.

Grønne, røde modne epler og et litt oksidativt preg. Hvalnøtter, nugat, hvit sjokolade, kaffe og sopp. En lukt av nærmest kremet hvite blomster. 

En smak av røde epler, urter, hvit sjokolade og nugat. Et pent og stilriktig preg av 08 årgangen. Tette pene bobler som er latterlig bra integrert. Syren er spot on med en prikkende munnfølelse. 

Drikkes overraskende godt nå. 

Sommelier

Amatør

Bakst, mineralsk, modne epler, god syre og små delikate bobler

En fantastisk årgang med fine aromaer av brioche og modne epler. Viser allerede «kjeller-preg», som nok bare blir bedre med tiden. Den er konsentrert og balansert med flotte integrerte bobler. Har et langt liv om man tar seg tid.

WSET 2

Fully mature, showcasing a gorgeous golden yellow hue that harmoniously blends oloroso sherry, dry apple peel, lively citrus, and flinty minerals. The palate offers a creamy and smooth experience, with a dissolved palette unveiling a refreshing, spicy mineral, and a lingering savory aftertaste. I'm convinced it's at the pinnacle of its potential, and additional improvement seems improbable.

Fine wine advisor

The nose is fruity with yellow apples. The autolysis is clean and very elegant with bread dough. The palate is full-bodied, fruity and very elegant. It is mature and beautifully balanced. The finish is long and acidic. It's perfect to drink now! 94 points!

Gyllen gul. Modne melne gule epler, gule steinfrukter, lett snev av kamfer/kongen av danmark som blåser litt bort or erstattes med en mild kaffe tone. Medium syre med en helt perfekt balanse mot den lett oksidative gule frukten. Høy konsetrasjon og en meget behangelig munnfølelse med kremet og delikat mousse sitter lenge. En vin som er helt perfekt der den er nå. 

Amateur

Medium gold/amber colored, the 1985 Bollinger Grande Année delivers a beautifully mature nose of brioche, honeycomb, orange blossoms, and praline, giving way to underlying notes of burnt sugar and musk perfume. The dry, light to medium-bodied palate reveals rich, seductive, bottle-matured honey-nut flavors with a refreshing backbone. Although the bubbles are fading, they are still wonderfully small and fine. Aging gracefully, carefully cellared bottles like this are perfect for those who love old Champagne.

Category	Sparkling wine
Vinmonopolet no.
Producer	Bollinger
Vintages	2008
Country	France, Champagne
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	12 %
Acid	7,9 %
Sugar	9,9 g/l

Packaging
Cork type
Selection
Wholesaler
Carrier