Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants Champagne 2013
Since 1829, Champagne Bollinger has been making great wines with a powerful, refined and complex style, expressing the aromas of the fruit in all its dimensions. This truly unique taste is the result of a particular affinity for the elegance of pinot noir, uncompromising excellence, an exceptional vineyard and traditional craftsmanship handed down through the generations with the utmost care since 1829.
The Champagne region originally owed its fame to its red wines. A favourite of King Henri IV, the Pinot Noirs from the town of Aÿ were the most popular wines of the French court. La Côte aux Enfants comes from a slope just outside Aÿ. Jacques Bollinger himself reconstituted it patiently, at the beginning of the 20th century, from over 50 differently owned plots! Today, Bollinger owns all four hectares of the legendary and iconic plot. Aware of the potential of this plot or lieu-dit, Champagne Bollinger sought to make a great vintage champagne from 100% pinot noir grown on the north-west slope of the hill. This is a true showcase for the hidden side of La Côte aux Enfants.
La Cote aux Enfants’ is a steep sided 4 hectares vineyard established by Jacques Bollinger between 1926 and 1934. This historic piece of land has two defining features: the south slope, which is vinified as a still red wine, and the north-west slope, which was the previously hidden side of the vineyard used exclusively to splice the blend in La Grande Année Rosé. The La Côte aux Enfants Champagne cuvée cements Champagne Bollinger’s research on the many expressions of pinot noir. This single-plot approach is made possible thanks to the many studies conducted by Bollinger on the “La Côte aux Enfants” terroir since 1926. By making a wine from this legendary parcel, Champagne Bollinger illustrates its precise mastery of pinot noir and complements its pinot noir range, alongside the PN cuvée and Vieilles Vignes Françaises.
Complex aromas of pie crust, iron, chalk and hints of sweet strawberries. Some ginseng. Full-bodied with very fine bubbles that give it tension and focus. Extremely fine and polished tannins that go on and on. Dried lemons and oranges. Chalk at the end. Hints of bitterness in the finish with subtle botanicals. Made from a single vineyard monopole of pure pinot noir. Drink now. - James Suckling, 99 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Pinot Noir Grand cru (Blanc de Noirs)
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2013
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%