Bollinger La Grande Annee, Champagne 2012

Only the finest vintages from grand & premier cru vineyards make it to into the Bollinger La Grand Annee release. This release from 2012 uses an assemblage of majority Pinot Noir with Chardonnay making up the remaining third of the blend. This formulation allows for an exceptional bottle of Champagne that has exceptional aging potential. After initial troublesome start with growing conditions, the 2012 vintage pulled through with a late flourish of good weather in August and September which rescued the grapes and gave them a stunning maturity & flavour profile. After harvest, the liquid was fermented entirely in aged oak barrels, before been aged on lees for 7 years. After the prolonged ageing on its lees,  every bottle of La Grande Année was riddled and disgorged by hand.