The short story about the 2015 vintage is that a wet and mild winter was followed by a balmy spring and then a very dry, hot summer, kicking off as early as mid-May with rainfall not arriving until mid-August. Key to the success of La Grande Année specifically this vintage is Bollinger’s large vineyard holdings (179 hectares), the majority of which are Grands Crus and Premiers Crus. This access to a diverse range of exceptional sites allowed them to focus on those that brought elegance and energy to the inherent power and depth of the vintage, explaining why there is a slightly higher proportion of Chardonnay in the blend. We have tasted the 2015 on two different occasions so far (we were honoured to be the first to taste on UK soil!) and from two formats – both bottles (known as “little magnums” at Bollinger) and magnums – and have been incredibly impressed both times. The bottles are showing beautifully, truly a vintage you could approach now, should you wish. Open and expressive aromatically – with fruit that is evidently sunshine-driven, ripe wild strawberries and cherries, juicy apricots and mango, yellow plums, and a delicious honeycomb edge to the autolysis. There is a mouth-filling opulence and weightiness, underpinned by a citrussy freshness and bright energy. The finish tapers and tightens wonderfully (a nod to the higher proportion of Chardonnay perhaps) with a persistent saline, umami character.