Bollinger La Grande Année Champagne, brut, vintage 2014, with OC

Bollinger – La Grande Année Champagne Brut Vintage 2014

1. Introduction and historical significance

The La Grande Année cuvée is the flagship of the renowned Bollinger Champagne house and is produced exclusively in exceptional vintages. Founded in 1829, Bollinger stands for artisanal tradition and the very highest quality – La Grande Année embodies this to perfection: it is “the very embodiment of an exceptional, timeless champagne”.

The 2014vintage marks a special return to elegance: following on from more robust, powerful vintages, Bollinger shows its finer, more precise side here . Cellar Master Gilles Descôtes succeeded in overcoming the challenges of a changeable year and creating a Champagne that has been hailed by critics as one of the house’sfinest recent vintages.

2. The 2014 vintage – weather and growing conditions

The 2014 vintage was a year of contrastsin Champagne :

Despite these challenging conditions, the quality of the grapes was maintained – the musts showed an excellent balance between ripeness and acidity. A warm, dry September ultimately enabled the major producers to harvest the grapes at optimum ripeness.

Wine expert Charles Curtis MW describes 2014 as “an up-and-down year that ended well” and awards it three stars – a “very good vintage that falls just short of top rank due to disease pressure”, but one that has produced“some wines of lasting quality”.

3. Winemaking and cuvée composition

Vinification in oak barrels is one of Bollinger’s artisanal specialities. Through micro-oxidation, the wines develop complex aromas and exceptional ageing potential. The higher proportion of Chardonnay (39 per cent) compared with previous vintages emphasises the fresh, elegant style of the 2014 cuvée.

4. Tasting notes

Appearance

• Golden highlights reflecting the wine’s maturity and Bollinger’s winemaking techniques

Nose (Bouquet)

The bouquet is precise, fruit-driven and of exceptional intensity:

• Cherry and lemon

• Quince and bergamot

• Hazelnut and almond

• Peach and mirabelle plum

• Sea breeze, sea urchin, oyster shells, iodine and gunpowder smoke – notes derived from the Pinot Noir from Verzenay

• Marzipan

• Lemon cream

Palate

• Fine, intense effervescence

• Outstanding vinous character and balanced, delicate acidity

• A fine texture and a sea-breeze finish with delicate minerality

• White peach, fresh cherry, citrus fruits and plum

• Hints of brioche and hazelnut

• The wine unfolds gradually, revealing its full potential and intensity

5. Critics’ reviews

The Bollinger La Grande Année 2014 has received top ratingsfrom renowned critics :

The 98 points from Vinous are the highest rating awarded to this vintage – they put it on a par with Cristal 2014 ($311) and Selosse’s ‘Le Bout du Clos’ ($798).

6. Prices and market values

La Grande Année 2014 is available in various formats and price ranges:

7. Drinking window and ageing potential

Experts indicate thatthe drinking window for the Bollinger La Grande Année 2014 is from 2024 to 2044. The wine is already in excellent drinking condition, but will benefit considerably from a long period of cellaring.

Richard Juhlin predicts: “Fascinating and beautiful already, grand as R.D. in 10 years or more” – a reference to Bollinger’s legendary R.D. (Récemment Dégorgé) cuvée, which impresses with its extremely long ageing on the lees.

Serving recommendation

• Serving temperature: 8–10 °C

• Food pairing: Ideal with seafood, crab, lobster and gourmet dishes in general

8. Note on ‘OC’ (Original Carton / Original Case)

The designation ‘OC’ (Original Carton / Original Case) means that the Champagne is offered in the manufacturer’s original packaging (usually a wooden box or gift box). This is important for collectors and investors, as complete original packaging increases a bottle’s resale value and authenticity. Bollinger offers some bottles of La Grande Année 2014 in gift boxes.

9. Summary

The Bollinger La Grande Année Brut Vintage 2014 is a champagne of exceptional quality and ranks among the house’s most iconic cuvées. It combines:

• Historical significance – La Grande Année is the prestige flagship of one of the most renowned champagne houses

• Challenging vintage conditions – Despite a cool summer and changeable weather, a top vintage was achieved through skilful vineyard management and selection

• Artisanal precision – Vinification in old oak barrels, at least five years’ ageing on the lees, sealed with natural cork

• A complex, elegant interplay of aromas – ranging from cherry and lemon through to marine notes, hazelnut and brioche

• Top ratings from international critics (up to 98 points from Vinous)

For collectors and connoisseurs of exquisite champagnes, the La Grande Année 2014 is an indispensable gem – a wine that embodies the art of champagne-making to perfection and will continue to delight for the next two decades.