Description & elaboration
The La Grande Année Rosé 2018 cuvée from Bollinger is a champagne of vinous, generous character. It delivers an aromatically intense experience with notes of wild strawberry, vineyard peach and copper-tinged nuances. On the palate, its fleshy, structured texture makes it a true table champagne, crafted for fine dining. A bottle of remarkable character, from a historic house founded in 1829, presented in a gift box.
The Terroir
The blend draws on nineteen villages within the appellation. The Montagne de Reims contributes the majority of the harvest, dominated by the communes of Verzenay and Aÿ, both classified Grand Cru. Mareuil-sur-Aÿ rounds out the structure with its Premier Cru status. Grand Cru vineyards account for 91% of the total, with the remaining 9% coming from Premier Cru sites.
The chalky subsoil retains rainfall and naturally hydrates the vines, limiting water stress and concentrating the aromas. The Chardonnays are sourced exclusively from the Côte des Blancs. The crus of Chouilly and Cuis contribute freshness and precision to the blend.
The vineyards are managed with respect for the environment, holding both the Haute Valeur Environnementale (HVE) certification and the Viticulture Durable en Champagne (vDC) accreditation — two frameworks designed to preserve biodiversity.
Winemaking
Cellar master Denis Bunner orchestrates every stage of the production. The blend comprises 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay, complemented by 5% still red wine. This red wine comes from the celebrated Côte aux Enfants parcel, whose full south-facing exposure encourages the complete ripening of the anthocyanins.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place entirely in 228-litre oak barrels, maintained by the house's own in-house cooperage. This approach, in place of stainless steel tank vinification, lends roundness and depth to the wine. Tirage under natural cork (a cork stopper inserted directly onto the wine before the second fermentation) then takes place in the chalk cellars.
Manual riddling on traditional pupitres precedes disgorgement. Disgorgement — the removal of the yeast deposit accumulated in the neck of the bottle — remains a fully artisanal operation. The addition of a dosage liqueur at 7 g/L enhances the overall aromatic profile and places this cuvée in the Brut category.
The 2018 vintage
The year began with a particularly rainy winter. Spring maintained above-average rainfall, allowing water to penetrate deep into the chalk fissures. The vines were able to replenish their underground reserves before flowering.
Summer then brought warm, sunny conditions, accelerating the vegetative cycle. Harvest began early, at the end of August, with grapes in excellent health, allowing perfectly sound bunches to be picked.
Pinot Noir delivered a rich, deeply pigmented extraction. The Chardonnay berries retained their lively acidity and natural tension through blocking of malolactic fermentation (a process that preserves the wine's natural acidity). The conditions of August encouraged aromatic development in the coloured skins, yielding a particularly expressive base.
Tasting Notes
Appearance
The colour shimmers in the light, revealing rosy and salmon-pink hues. The rim displays beautiful copper-tinged nuances.
Nose
With aeration, wild strawberry aromas emerge. Redcurrant develops over time, adding a fruity dimension. A menthol touch appears after opening.
Palate
The attack is marked by a crisp, crunchy texture and juicy character. The wine coats the palate with persistence. The finish is lifted by a hint of bitter blood orange.
Food Pairing Suggestions
- Pata negra ham
- Veal sweetbread crostini
- Gougères with aged Comté
- Roasted Racan pigeon
- Grilled red mullet fillet
- Tournedos Rossini
- Strawberry tart
- Red berry crumble
- Aged ewe's milk tomme
The Plus de Bulles Expert's Opinion
Why I love it
What captivates me about this cuvée is the crunch of the palate and its juicy character. The notes of strawberry and vineyard peach, lifted by a menthol touch, won me over completely.
My recommendation
Serve this champagne at 10–12 °C in a wine glass — essential for allowing its full complexity to unfold.
Practical advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for champagne transport. Upon receipt, we recommend storing the bottle on its side, away from light — ideally in a cellar, or at the very least in a cool, not too dry location with a relatively stable temperature.
The gift box casing insulates the bottle from sudden temperature fluctuations. Keeping the set in its original packaging helps preserve its integrity.
Ageing potential
La Grande Année Rosé 2018 from Bollinger offers an estimated ageing potential of 15 to 20 years. Over time, the aromas will gradually evolve from fruit-forward notes towards more complex, spiced registers.
- Up to 2029: the profile is dominated by citrus zest, candied strawberry and pink pepper.
- From 2030: evolution reveals notes of gentle spice, blonde tobacco and forest floor.
- Around 2038: extended bottle ageing develops touches of roasted hazelnut, truffle and coffee.
Serving suggestions
This bottle expresses itself best in a wide tulip-shaped glass. The ideal serving temperature is between 10 and 12 °C. Thirty minutes of rest out of the refrigerator allows the aromas to fully open up.
A note about this cuvée
Bollinger's heritage rests on principles passed down from generation to generation. Madame Bollinger established the exclusive use of the first pressing, a directive that continues to guide the creation of the house's prestige cuvées today.
Swedish expert Richard Juhlin regularly analyses these traditional vinifications. This barrel-aged approach explains the timeless elegance of the Bollinger Rosé champagne crafted today. The estate's fleet of four thousand barrels requires the dedicated attention of a full-time cooper.
Reserve wines do not enter the vintage blend. This choice stands in contrast to the aromatic freshness of a classic rosé Brut vinified in stainless steel tanks. This iconic gift box showcases this bottle, forever associated with James Bond.
