2014 Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut Champagne Magnum (1.5 L)

Bollinger’s Grande Année is always one of the world’s greatest Champagnes—and their 2014 is truly one for the ages.

It’s the bottle that earned 98 points from Antonio Galloni of Vinous, who called it “stunning” and said, “In fact, it is one of the best recent editions I can remember tasting.” The dizzying score was the highest that Vinous awarded for the vintage, equaling Cristal ($311) and Selosse’s “Le Bout du Clos” ($798).  

La Grande Année is only produced in successful vintages, and in Champagne in 2014, success came in the form of a warm, dry September that enabled great producers to shine, picking the grapes at optimal levels of ripeness. La Grande Année always spends a minimum of five years on the lees—twice as long as required—and the secondary fermentation is stoppered by cork instead of crown cap, contributing to Bollinger’s opulent and delicately nutty house style.

Pour a glass, and you’ll experience the fine mousse giving way to a rich, cascading bouquet of white peaches, fresh picked cherry, lemon custard, and toasted marzipan. Expansive on entry, the palate remains intriguingly precise, with delicate citrus and plum flavors accented with brioche and hazelnut. It’s drinking perfectly right now, but will reward a long stay in the cellar.

No matter what you’re celebrating in the next 20 years, the 2014 La Grande Année is the wine you’ll want to mark the occasion.

• Fruit Intensity
• Oak Intensity
• Body
• Sweetness
• Acidity

• ABV 12.00%
• Enjoy right away
• Now – 2040
• 61% Pinot Noir39% Chardonnay
• Serving temperature – 45°
• Cork