2015 - Bollinger, La Grande Annee Rose

Disgorged in February 2024 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, Bollinger's 2015 La Grande Année Rosé is showing very well, delivering notes of blood orange, cowberry and brioche mingled with nectarine stone. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate is muscular yet racy, with a crisp core of fruit animated by a pillowy mousse and framed by structuring extract that leads into a long, saline finish. Whereas many large-house rosés today tend to exhibit a cloying mid-palate sweetness, this cuvée avoids the trap and comes warmly recommended.

Base wine, the same as the white Grande Année 2015 tinted by 5% still red wine from the famous Côte aux Enfants vineyard, was all aged in oak. Blend of 11 crus, 62% Pinot Noir predominantly from Verzenay, Aÿ and Mareuil-sur-Aÿ and 38% Chardonnay from Chouilly and Avize. Disgorged July 2023. Pale, slightly gris salmon pink (a little paler than the Billecart 2012 Elisabeth Salmon rosé tasted alongside). Heady, mushroomy, off-dry, sumptuous Bollinger gloriousness on the palate. I wonder what the dosage is, and whether the richness comes mainly from the fruit and oak? Finishes dry, but with wonderfully soothing impact on the palate. Relatively gentle mousse. Really gets to the deepest part of the throat. Sensational! (JR)