The quality of the Pinot fruit was positively Burgundian combining stunning wild strawberry fruit with that elusive orange citrus character. As the wine developed in the glass, it went from orange to clementine to mandarin, becoming muskier and more fragrant and pushing the wet stone minerality to the fore – but without ever losing its vibrancy or freshness. Obviously this is a wine in its relative infancy, so we expect the blend to ‘settle down’ over the next 9-12 months; but that said, it still had the rare quality of being broad in fruit and yet pleasingly direct and linear in its acidity.

– Bordeaux Index Fine Wines & Spirits Merchant

I love when Bollinger leaves the Pinot Noir in the driving seat like this. The sweet flirty vintage that I so often criticise is here turned into an advantage. The classic hazelnuttyness becomes sicilian pistachio. The dark cocoa notes become heavenly milk chocolate. Despite this obvious nirvana of pleasure there is a seriousness and sleeping animalistic power... A very great vintage Bollinger indeed!

–champagneclub.com, Richard Juhlin

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.

Disgorged January 2016. Magnum. Tasted blind. Very rich nose. Then slight fade on the end. Very well-balanced wine. Some sweetness on the end. (JR)