Bollinger's Grande Année 2018 is a powerful, fruity, and mineral-driven champagne. This wine is the perfect accompaniment to both aperitifs and gourmet meals. The legendary Agent 007, James Bond, helped forge the reputation of this family-owned house. Its gift box perfectly protects the bottle (75 cl) and ensures a polished presentation.
The wine profile of this cuvée stems from a vinification process carried out entirely in oak barrels. It is likely the cuvée that best reflects the estate’s historical vision and style.
The production of Bollinger La Grande Année 2018
The Terroir
The blend is based on a selection of nineteen classified villages. This rigorous approach adheres to the specifications of the Champagne appellation. The geographical diversity balances the climatic variations of the vintage. The clay-limestone soils ensure optimal vegetative development of the vines.
The Pinot Noirs come mainly from the communes of Aÿ and Verzenay. These villages in the Montagne de Reims rest on belemnite chalk. This Cretaceous sedimentary rock regulates the vines’ water supply. The berries acquire natural concentration there during summer ripening.
The Chardonnays are grown on the terroirs of Chouilly, Cuis, and Avize. These communes in the Côte des Blancs feature east-facing slopes. This morning exposure preserves the natural acidity of the light-skinned berries. The roots growing in pure chalk impart a saline tension to the final wine.
The chalk acts like a giant sponge in the subsoil. It absorbs excess water during periods of heavy rainfall. This reserve releases moisture during dry spells. This geological balance ensures consistent ripening without severe water stress.
Winemaking
Cellar Master Denis Bunner meticulously crafts this vintage. The blend consists of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay. Meunier is deliberately excluded from this composition. This precise selection ensures a dense aromatic profile suited for aging.
The entire primary fermentation takes place in oak barrels. The Bollinger cooperage maintains a stock of barrels averaging twenty years old. This aged wood protects the must from any drying tannins and allows for slow micro-oxygenation.
Alcoholic fermentation benefits from this natural aeration within the wood. Malolactic fermentation is not carried out to preserve freshness. This choice preserves the wine’s natural malic acid rather than transforming it. The estate thus favors a taut profile rather than an overly rounded character.
Secondary fermentation takes place under a cork. Aging on the lees then continues for sixty months in the underground cellars of the House of Bollinger. This prolonged contact with the yeasts considerably enriches the aromatic spectrum.
The bottles are riddled by hand on wooden racks. The dosage brings the Brut level to 8 g/L. This dosage balances the wine’s natural richness without masking the fruit.
The 2018 Vintage
The year 2018 began with abundant spring rainfall. Groundwater levels were replenished before the summer season. The summer then brought a dry and persistently warm climate.
The vines enjoyed 750 hours of sunshine between April and June. Flowering occurred ten days earlier than the ten-year average. Ripening benefited from cool nights in August on the Montagne de Reims. This sunny profile contrasts with the coolness of the 2014 vintage.
July and August set local temperature records. Temperatures regularly exceeded thirty degrees in the shade. The harvest began on August 23 for Pinot Noir. The teams harvested grapes in optimal condition.
The 2018 vintage is among the great vintages of recent years. It marks the beginning of a trilogy of three great vintages—2018, 2019, and 2020—destined to become legendary.
Tasting notes
Color
The color of La Grande Année 2018 features a pronounced golden hue with coppery highlights. This deep color reflects the wine’s extended aging in oak barrels at the estate. The effervescence produces a finely chiseled and very even stream of bubbles.
Nose
The nose immediately reveals aromas of yellow apple and pear. Scents of fresh plum and dried flowers then emerge. Aeration releases rich notes of pastry and toasted brioche. A smoky minerality subtly evokes the scent of gunpowder.
Palate
This champagne develops a full-bodied texture right from the first sip. The acidity perfectly balances the richness of the fruit. The finish leaves a subtle salty impression lasting eight caudalies.
Pairing Suggestions
- Marinated tuna carpaccio
- Vegetables with daikon
- Fresh crab meat
- Veal medallions
- Roasted blue lobster
- Lentils with sage
- Aged Brie de Meaux
- Thin apple tart
- Poached Pear with Honey
The Expert's Opinion: More Bubbles
This vintage creation captivates with its gastronomic depth and minerality. The oxidative patina reflects the historic expertise of the cellar teams. Critic Antonio Galloni praises this wine with a score of 96/100. Magazines such as Wine Spectator and Decanter also review this wine. Robert Parker and James Suckling regularly endorse this winery. Discover other 2018 vintages in our selection.
Storage and Serving Recommendations
How should this champagne be stored?
Our secure shipping box ensures optimal delivery conditions. At home, we recommend storing La Grande Année 2018 in a cellar, lying horizontally, at a temperature of around 12 degrees Celsius. The box will help protect the bottle (75cl).
Aging potential
The concentration of this vintage ensures remarkable longevity. Its acid structure guarantees harmonious aging over several decades.
- Immediate tasting: The wine expresses notes of citrus and flowers.
- Aromatic maturity phase (by 2029): The champagne develops buttery aromas.
- Tertiary evolution phase (from 2035): The wine reveals notes of roasted coffee.
Serving recommendations
Gradual chilling in an ice bucket is recommended. Serve this champagne to your guests at 10–12°C. The thermal shock of a freezer would disrupt the elegance of the effervescence. Using a flared glass will enhance the expression of the complex bouquet.
Allow five minutes for the wine to breathe in the glass before tasting. This aeration releases the aromas trapped during the long aging process. The wine gains depth upon contact with the air. Avoid flutes that are too narrow, as they constrain the olfactory spectrum.
Trivia about this cuvée
Preserving traditional crafts remains at the heart of the Bollinger estate. The company employs a full-time artisan cooper in its cellars. His meticulous work on the barrels defines the house’s style. Discover the Bollinger Spécial Cuvée to explore this range.
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