Gert Crum presents his tasting notes for the Bollinger La Grand Année 2008

Gert Crum (Twitter and Facebook.)
Published: May 2nd 2019

As announced several weeks ago, the long awaited Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2008 was launched at the end of March. A moment that many champagne lovers have been eagerly awaiting.

2008 is, as widely recognized and acknowledged, an extremely good year in Champagne. And when such quality is matched with a top producer, one can assume that the result will be superior.

Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2008 is composed of 71 percent pinot noir and 29 percent chardonnay. The grapes come from 18 different crus. 84 percent comes from grand crus and the remainder from premier crus. The bottle that I tasted was disgorged in July 2018 – over eight months ago – and it received a dosage of 8 grams / litre.

“Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2008 turned out to be
the masterpiece that we dreamed about.”

The colour is light golden yellow with small bubbles playfully rising up like stringed pearls. The wine has great aromas – unlike many other champagnes – with nuances of biscuit, roast almond, brioche and yet also lime and spring blossom.

The taste is rich, broad, deep and vinous with well evolved aromas (yes, what do you want after almost 10 years sur lies) of roast almond, apricot and oriental spices.

… but then, there is also a striking freshness and lightness, from a dash of green apple and a pinch of citrus fruit with a high degree of minerality. You can taste fine bitters towards the end.

“It is a super-refined, yet powerfully structured, long-lasting champagne with great harmony. Champagne Bollinger La Grande Année 2008 is a Masterpiece.”