The 2015 Bollinger Grande Année is a distinguished Champagne blend hailing from the renowned Champagne region in France. This vintage features a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, deviating from Bollinger's more typical 70/30 mix. The wine was disgorged in May 2023 after spending seven years on lees, with a dosage of eight grams per liter.
Antonio Galloni from Vinous awarded this wine 96 points, highlighting its intriguing character and the careful decision-making in harvesting. Galloni notes, "Balance was hard to achieve in 2015," underscoring the challenge of reaching optimal ripeness. The result is a wine with "dried citrus peel, sage, menthol, tangerine peel, and spice," alongside "light tropical overtones" that develop with aeration. Galloni emphasizes the "real density and textural richness" and describes it as stylistically the "complete opposite" of the more linear 2014 vintage.
Similarly, James Suckling also rated the 2015 Grande Année at 96 points, praising its "enticing, fragrant aromas of toast, lemon zest, and an earthy-smoky nuance." Suckling describes the palate as "subtle Bosc-pear, mango, papaya, even pineapple flavors," lifted by fresh acidity. He notes the wine's "mouth-filling, alive with acidity and full of finesse" nature, making it versatile for immediate enjoyment or further aging.
William Kelley from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate gave the wine a solid 95+ points, describing it as having a "muscular, old-school Bollinger profile." Kelley mentions the wine's aromas of "pear, orange oil, and white flowers mingled with notions of mocha, toasted hazelnuts, and fino sherry." He further notes its "medium to full-bodied, layered and textural" nature, with a "dense core of fruit framed by chalky structuring extract."
Decanter rated the wine slightly lower at 94 points but still highlighted its forward nature and warmth, describing "roasted orange, Comice pear, and Mirabelle plum" flavors. Decanter also mentioned the wine’s "savoury maturity," with influences of "brine, nuts, and dried leaf character." The review notes the "food-friendly chewiness" of the 2015 vintage and the fine "cooked lemon snap" brought by the Chardonnay.
The 2015 Bollinger Grande Année stands out for its complex flavor profile, textural richness, and harmonious balance, showcasing a unique expression of Bollinger's craftsmanship.