The new release of a La Grande Année (The great year) from Champagne Bollinger is always an occasion. This year is something very special indeed. The 2008 vintage is one of the finest in history for the region, and possibly the greatest vintage Bollinger ever made. A truely artistan product, each bottle is touched around 40 times in this incredibly costly and complex process. The blend of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay has been crafted from 90% Grand Cru and 10% Premier Cru vineyards, mainly Ay and Verzenay for the Pinot Noir, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant for the Chardonnay. Fully fermented in small old oak casks, it was then aged for another 9 years on the lees under natural cork, before being 100% riddled and disgorged by hand. Join us and the charming Guy de Rivoire from Champagne Bollinger for this cocktail party release event. You will enjoy the Special Cuvée and the La Grande Année 2008 along with canapes. More will be available to purchase on the evening. Dress to impress!

This is a regal and heroic Bollinger characterized by restrained power and energetic energy. I love meeting this untouched force and carefully analysing its sublime elements, but at the same time I have to admit that we are dealing with a real 'vin de garde' that will not reach its maximum capacity before its 25th birthday. The structure is impressive, based of course on the high acidity of the vintage in the first place. This very high acid means that the other building blocks can appear as subordinate, but they have a great wealth of both oak embossed secondary aromas and flaunted dark fruit. At present, the aromatic spectrum is characterized by fresh hazelnuts from Piedmont, green apples, critical minerals and perfumed orange blossoms. Buy a case and follow its aromatic journey to heaven over the coming decades. - Richard Juhlin, 98pts