la Grande Année, Rosé, 2002
A blend of 73%Grand Cru and 27% premier cru wine the grape blend made up of 62% Pinot Noir and 38% Chardonnay, 23 different crus, 8% red wine is added into the blend , from la cote aux enfants. In traditional Bollinger fashion the wine is initially fermented in small old oak barrels, followed by secondary bottle fermentation. A beautifully translucent salmon pink colour, a toasty, brooding slightly surly and wild nose that reflects the barrel fermentation, however it soon unveils a plethora of bright summery fruit with aeration, this is intense long and precise, the great richness and acidity of the 2002 vintage is offset by more light-hearted floral characteristics of raspberries and redcurrants. This should be approached from 2012 at the earliest.
critic reviews
The 2002 Brut Rose La Grande Annee is a beautifully detailed, subtle wine. A noble, intriguing bouquet leads dried roses, berries, minerals all of which come together with gorgeous articulation. There is a wonderful balance between the vinosity of the Pinot and the more chalky, minerally elements that preserve freshness. The finish is totally impeccable and classy. In a word: Sublime. This is Lot L001831. Disgorged November 10, 2009. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015. This is an exceptional set of new wines from Bollinger, one of Champagnes historic houses. From top to bottom, there isnt anything Bollinger isnt doing well these days. I recently sat down with Chef de Caves Matthieu Kaufmann to taste through a range of the houses 2009s. Readers will find notes on that tasting on www.erobertparker.com One of the distinguishing features of the Bollinger style is the aging of reserve wines in magnum under cork (not crown seal), a painstaking labor of love. Bollinger also has some of the most informative back labels among the regions larger producers. It would be great to see Krug, Moet & Chandon, Roederer, Taittinger, Veuve Cliquot and a number of the regions big houses follow suit. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
The 2002 Brut Rosé La Grande Année is a beautifully detailed, subtle wine. A noble, intriguing bouquet leads dried roses, berries, minerals all of which come together with gorgeous articulation. There is a wonderful balance between the vinosity of the Pinot and the more chalky, minerally elements that preserve freshness. The finish is totally impeccable and classy. In a word: This is Lot L001831. Disgorged November 10th, 2009.