Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants 2012 (Sparkling)

"Before being a great Champagne, Bollinger is first and foremost a great wine". It is undeniable, a Bollinger spirit actually exists. In the wines certainly, but also in Aÿ. The involvement and seriousness of the people involved in the design of these great wines closely contribute to their success. Bollinger is also one of the few rare Champagne houses to have remained as a family since its creation in 1829. The maison was founded by Athanase de Villermont who had inherited the vineyard of Champagne, Joseph Bollinger, a German merchant and Paul Renaudin, a Champenois who was passionate about wine. The Bollinger and Villermont families united their fate at the same time as their profession with Joseph Bollinger's marriage to Louise-Charlotte, Athanase's daughter. Their children would take over the rein. There is a 163-hectare vineyard located, for more than 80%, in grands and premiers crus, and providing over 60% of its needs in grapes. One of the interesting facts about this maison is the preponderance of Pinot Noir which gives great flavour and strength to the champagnes. Another particularity of the maison is that part of the fermented reserve wines in wood is then conserved in magnums, with cork stoppers, for 5 to 12 years before being incorporated into the whole. Finally, on the management side, in September 2007, Ghislain de Mongolfier handed over the reins to Jérôme Philipon who followed in his footsteps while emulating his style. This all went well and there is no doubt that the brand continues to shine in the starry sky of Champagne.

À l’époque d’Henri IV, les vins rouges 100% pinot noir issus de l’emblématique commune d’Aÿ étaient les favoris de la cour de France. C’est pourquoi ce mythique vignoble champenois fit d’abord sa renommée grâce à ses vins rouges avant d’éblouir par ses champagnes.
Cette cuvée fait la différence par sa vinification qui est réalisée en vendange entière. C’est-à-dire que les grappes récoltées très mûres ne sont ni éraflées ni foulées, afin d’apporter de la structure au vin ainsi qu’une plus grande palette aromatique. Après un élevage de huit mois en fûts de chêne, ce pinot noir dévoile une somptueuse robe bordeaux. Le nez riche et intense mêle des parfums de fruits noirs avec de subtiles touches d’épices. La bouche raffinée équilibre parfaitement les arômes du nez avec des touches de cuir et des notes de violette. Les tannins souples et délicats amènent enfin vers une finale longue et gourmande.

Consult price estimate for: Bollinger