La Grande Année Rosé 2014

The wine in this vintage

A vintage of balance rather than power, 2014 saw a cool, damp August followed by a bright September that brought the grapes to harmonious ripeness. Bollinger La Grande Année Rosé 2014 reflects that character with a fragrant, refined profile: raspberry, strawberry, redcurrant and orange, with a delicate floral note and a touch of sweet spice. The palate is fresh, taut and saline, with the red Pinot Noir adding substance and gentle tannic grip to a persistent finish. Robert Parker awarded it 96 points. It is a pleasure to drink already, yet its structure allows it to be cellared for years with room to grow further.

The producer · Bollinger

Founded in Aÿ in 1829, Bollinger remains one of the very few great Champagne houses that is still independent and family-owned. Its modern identity bears the stamp of Madame Lily Bollinger, who ran the house from 1941 to 1971, famously cycling through the vineyards and instilling an uncompromising culture of quality. The house farms a substantial estate of its own, largely rated Grand and Premier Cru, with Pinot Noir from Aÿ, Verzenay and Bouzy as the backbone of its style. Tradition here is a working method rather than a slogan: a significant share of the wines is fermented in small, seasoned oak casks looked after by an in-house cooper, reserve wines are kept in magnums under cork, and lees ageing is long. The result is vinous, deep Champagne with an almost still-wine texture and the ability to age for decades. Its flagship cuvées, La Grande Année, R.D. and the rare Vieilles Vignes Françaises from ungrafted vines, are benchmarks for serious collectors.

Critics' scores

• 96 Robert Parker
• 96 Wine Spectator
• 95 James Suckling

Technical details

Producer

Bollinger

Region

Champagne

Country

Francia

Type

Bollicine

Vintage

2014

When to drink

Hold, still evolving

Critics' average

95.7/100

Sizes

75 cl, Magnum 150 cl, Case of 6 × 75 cl

eWibe code

0090314