2002 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Annee #167171312
Reviews 94 points Wine Advocate "...caresses the palate with layers of effortless, weightless fruit. The mousse is exceptionally fine, which adds to the impression of total elegance. This is a relatively bright, floral Grande Annee with plenty of aromatic lift, inner perfume and no sense of heaviness at all. A rich, creamy finish adds the final note of complexity and pedigree. (AG)" 93 points John Gilman "The bouquet wafts from the glass in a mature blend of apple, peach, lovely soil tones, a touch of honeycomb, warm biscuits and a fair bit of smokiness in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core, elegant mousse, crisp acids and lovely length and grip on the wide open and classy finish. (JG)"
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About Bollinger
The 179 hectares of vines at Bollinger are located at the heart of the finest crus in Champagne, with 85% Grand and Premier crus farmed by their teams of growers across seven 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. Bollinger also features two unique plots, the Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which have never been affected by phylloxera. These ungrafted vines are entirely tended by hand and reproduce using a form of layering called provignage, which provides the means to preserve this extraordinary heritage from which the exclusive Vieilles Vignes Françaises cuvée is produced.
Bollinger wines release a creamy effervescence resulting from vinifying in oak barrels and prolonged contact with the yeasts. The House also guarantees a unique tasting experience that always offers something new, rooted in five tangible principles: the House Vineyards, Pinot Noir, magnums of reserve wines, the barrels, and time.
Bollinger's roots date back to the 16th century when the Hennequins owned land in Cramant, and in 1829 the Champagne house Renaudin Bollinger was founded in Aÿ by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Levieux Renaudin, and Jacques Bollinger. Starting when Jacques Bollinger married Charlotte de Villermont, the house has been managed by the Bollinger family. In 1885, Joseph and Georges, the grandsons of Jacques, took over the company and began expanding the family estate by purchasing vineyards in nearby villages. The company further expanded under Lily Bollinger, who took over in 1941 after Jacques' death. Lily was well-known for traveling the world to promote the brand and broaden production by purchasing more vineyards.