Champagne Bollinger 2015 La Grande Année.
La Grande Année 2015: A Vintage Marked by Climate and Craftsmanship.
Bollinger’s 2015 La Grande Année, released in March 2024, reflects the challenges and opportunities posed by the changing climate in Champagne. Marked by extreme heat and prolonged drought, the 2015 growing season is seen as a pivotal moment that underscores the increasing effects of global warming on the region. These climatic conditions pushed Champagne Bollinger’s winemakers to craft a wine that is not only a reflection of this shift but also a testament to their deep understanding of terroir and grape management.
A Hot Vintage and Its Impact
The 2015 vintage saw little to no rain from January to June, which resulted in high concentration within the grapes. The extended heatwave stressed the vines, giving the wine more depth and body, a notable contrast to the cooler, more mineral-driven vintages like 2014 and 2013. The result is a La Grande Année that returns to Champagne Bollinger’s signature style of fuller flavors and rich fruit characteristics, with an underlying warmth that reflects the growing season’s conditions.
Red fruits such as raspberries and strawberries take center stage, while stone fruits like mirabelle plums and prunes add complexity to the palate. A delicate nuttiness rounds out the wine, offering a distinct and multi-layered profile.
Precision in Blending
For the 2015 La Grande Année, Champagne Bollinger opted to blend from just 11 cru’s, a more focused selection compared to their usual 20. The majority of the blend comes from Aÿ, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, and Verzenay—villages known for their exceptional Pinot Noir. This vintage features a 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay blend, with the latter adding elegance and structure to balance the richness of the Pinot Noir.
The wine is fermented in old oak barrels, with each cru and grape variety vinified separately to maintain the integrity of the terroir. A slow oxidation process and controlled oxygenation contribute to the wine’s aging potential, which is further enhanced by seven years spent on its lees. This extended aging adds depth and complexity, ensuring the wine remains vibrant while developing richness over time.
Our Review
The 2015 vintage of Bollinger’s La Grande Année showcases the house’s classic, robust style while embracing the challenges of a particularly warm growing season. The wine pours a pale straw color with a fine stream of persistent bubbles, immediately signaling the intensity and concentration within. On the nose, vibrant aromas of ripe pear, roasted citrus, and white flowers mingle with complex layers of toasted hazelnuts, mocha, and a faint oxidative note reminiscent of fino sherry. Subtle hints of brine and dried herbs underscore the wine’s savory depth.
The palate is equally compelling, offering a rich, vinous texture that speaks to Bollinger’s commitment to barrel fermentation. The Pinot Noir (60%) provides a sturdy, structured backbone, while the Chardonnay (40%) adds a touch of elegance and brightness, particularly with notes of cooked lemon and white currants. The wine’s mid-palate shows impressive weight, framed by chalky minerality and a phenolic grip that adds chewiness and complexity, enhancing its gastronomic potential. The mousse is creamy and refined, with a fine balance between richness and tension.
Finishing long and sapid, La Grande Année 2015 displays Bollinger’s trademark toastiness alongside notes of ripe stone fruit, caramelized nuts, and a touch of sea salt. The slightly higher dosage of 8 grams per liter lends an inviting roundness without compromising the wine’s inherent freshness, which is maintained more through extract and texture than acidity.
Conclusion:
Bollinger’s 2015 La Grande Année is a Champagne of bold character, reflecting both the power of the vintage and the precision of the house’s winemaking. It stands out with its vinous, savory profile, and while it is already showing beautifully, it will continue to develop complexity over the next decade. This is a wine built for the table, pairing effortlessly with rich dishes like roasted poultry, foie gras, or mushroom risotto. With its combination of depth, structure, and freshness, it exemplifies Bollinger’s ability to craft age-worthy, gastronomic Champagnes in even the most challenging of vintages.
We reward this edition of La Grande Année with a 96-point DWA score.
A Reflection of a Changing Region
The 2015 La Grande Année is more than just a wine—it is a snapshot of the evolving climate of Champagne. As Champagne Bollinger’s team continues to face the challenges of global warming, they remain dedicated to producing exceptional wines that capture the essence of each vintage. This release stands as a bold and complex representation of the year it was shaped by, while also honoring the house’s long-standing traditions of craftsmanship.
This review is written by our own Niels Aarts. Importer Verbunt Verlinden is the proud importer of this iconic Champagne, along with the rest of the Bollinger portfolio, in the Netherlands. La Grande Année is available through selected retail and hospitality partners.
In the upcoming weeks (while supply lasts) Michelin Restaurant De Lindehof (2 stars), by Chef Soenil Bahadoer, has the honor and privilege to offer La Grande Année 2015 by the glass in their restaurant. You can read more about this rare opportunity here.
Price: €195,00
Taste date: October 2024
Score: 96/100 DWA Score
Website: Champagne Bollinger