Product Information:
The Epitome of Elegance and Power in Champagne - Bollinger’s La Grande Année 2005 is a wine that exudes both power and finesse, a true testament to the exceptional conditions of the 2005 harvest. This prestige cuvée, made from a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, is sourced from 13 different crus, predominantly Aÿ and Verzenay for the Pinot Noir, and Avize, Chouilly, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger for the Chardonnay. The majority of the blend (95%) comes from Grand Crus, with the remaining 5% from Premier Crus, ensuring the wine’s depth, complexity, and exceptional quality. Fermented entirely in barrels, La Grande Année 2005 has developed a remarkable depth of flavour that will evolve gracefully over the years.
Bollinger La Grande Année 2005 is a stunning expression of Champagne, offering a perfect balance of power and finesse. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for future enjoyment, this vintage promises to be a true masterpiece. La Grande Année 2005 has the structure and complexity to age gracefully, with its powerful flavours evolving and deepening over time. This wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for further refinement, with optimal drinking windows extending into the 2030s and beyond.
Maker:
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 story begins with Athanase de Villermont, who inherited a vast estate from his family on the outskirts of Aÿ. He instantly sensed the extraordinary potential of the wines of Champagne, but as a member of the aristocracy, he was forbidden from taking part in any commercial activity. Then he met Joseph “Jacques” Bollinger, who specialised in selling the wines of Champagne, and Paul Renaudin, a born-and-bred Champenois fascinated by the world of wine. On 6 February 1829, the company Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie was founded. Joseph was in charge of sales, while Paul oversaw the cellar. Athanase had founded a Champagne house that would transcend centuries.
Through turbulent times including the phylloxera crisis throughout Europe's vineyards and World War I, Georges Bollinger, son of founder Jacques, steered the house with resilience and dedication. His son, Jacques Bollinger, continued the legacy, expanding the estate and modernising facilities while upholding Bollinger's exacting standards. After Jacques' passing, Madame Bollinger, known for her business acumen and global ambassadorship, navigated the post-war recovery and succession planning until 1971, ensuring the house thrived. Successive leaders like Claude d'Hautefeuille (appointed chairman from 1971) and Christian Bizot (1978) upheld Bollinger's legacy, with Ghislain de Montgolfier (1994) and Jérôme Philipon (2008) furthering its global stature and quality standards into the modern era. Since 2017, Charles-Armand de Belenet became Chief Executive Officer of Champagne Bollinger, embracing both tradition and innovation, maintaining its prestigious position in the Champagne world while fostering continued growth and excellence.
Philosophy:
Over the years, Bollinger has built its vineyards at the heart of the finest crus in Champagne. Champagne Bollinger’s 180 hectares of vines are made up of 85% Grand and Premier crus and are farmed by our teams of growers across 7 separate vineyards: Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois and Verzenay for pinot noir, around the Montagne de Reims, Cuis for chardonnay on the Côte des Blancs and Champvoisy for meunier in the Vallée de la Marne. Another of Bollinger’s distinctive features are two plots, the Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which have never succumbed to phylloxera. These ungrafted vines are entirely tended by hand and reproduced using a form of layering called provignage, thereby providing the means to preserve this extraordinary heritage from which the very exclusive Vieilles Vignes Françaises cuvée is produced.
With regards to sustainability. In 2012, Champagne Bollinger was the first wine house in France whose vineyards were certified as ‘High Environmental Value’ (HEV). Two years later, it was also the first to receive the Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification. These prestigious labels assure the highest standards in environmental practice. Herbicides have also been banned on our vineyards since 2016. Each and every day, the managers of Bollinger vineyards use natural techniques to limit the pressure on the soil. These include the establishment of cover crops, mulching and environmentally-friendly grazing. In addition to sustainability Champagne Bollinger is proud to have B Corp certification, maintaining its ongoing commitment to the Land but also to its people, and to its Bollinger's illustrious legacy.
On the subject of legacy and preservation Bollinger is home to the last resident cooper of the Champagne region. Cooperage is a highly skilled craft: each one of Bollinger’s 4,000 aged barrels, of which some are nearly 100 years old, requires great attention. Learning to maintain this legacy in perfect condition requires rigorous training, which is why cooperage is a craft that must be passed on to younger generations. Bollinger attaches great importance to preserving this valuable expertise.
Tasting Notes
NOSE – Intense and Complex
A captivating and powerful nose that combines the richness of ripe yellow orchard fruits and citrus, with deeper layers of toasted almond, honey, and hints of spring blossom. Elegant minerality beneath, accompanied by subtle woody notes.
PALATE – Concentrated, Powerful and Harmonious
A creamy, almost raw silk-like mousse that coats the palate, delivering a smooth texture. The wine is opulent yet elegant, showcasing the perfect integration of the wine’s richness and its natural freshness.
FINISH – Long and Spiced
Lingering, with subtle notes of candied orange, gingerbread, and cinnamon that slowly fade, leaving a memorable impression. A harmonious conclusion to its layered complexity, with a touch of warmth and depth that will continue to develop as it ages.
Reviews + Accolades:
Bollinger's 2005 La Grande Année is a classical but comparatively precocious rendition of this cuvée that's already drinking well, offering up aromas of honeyed yellow apples, dried white flowers, English walnuts, praline and tea leaves. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a fine mousse, ripe acids and a dry, richly saline finish. It was disgorged with six grams per liter dosage after more than nine years sur lattes. While this isn't a historic vintage for Bollinger—or for Champagne as a whole—it's a persuasive Grande Année that exemplifies the house style. - William Kelley, RobertParker.com, 93 Points.
Impressive concentration and power here. This is really assertive with ripe yellow orchard fruits and citrus within a core encased in a layer of more savory, toasty notes on both the nose and palate. There's that gentle hint of aldehyde that is the traditional stamp of the house plus savory woody notes, white mushrooms and some chalk and spices, too. The palate has a fleshy opening, filling out with peach and hazelnut flavors before a smooth ride to the finish. Approachable and complex. - James Suckling, 94 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2005
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12%
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