Producer: Bollinger  
Region: Champagne, France 
Blend: Champagne Blend 
Year: 2008 

Bollinger stands among the premier vintage Champagne producers, and Bottle Barn has one of the best curated selections. The 2008 La Grande Année from Bollinger has captured the hearts of critics worldwide, earning an array of stellar reviews and high praise.

Jeb Dunnuck, 99 Points

Jeb Dunnuck leads the chorus of accolades with an exceptional 99 points, describing it as nothing short of brilliant. He finds it bursting with aromas of stone fruits, white flowers, and honeysuckle. This Champagne exudes an extraordinary liquid rock-like minerality that evolves into nuanced layers of spice, toasted bread, and a hint of petrol. Full-bodied and powerful yet impeccably precise and focused, it stands as one of the finest iterations of its cuvée, destined for greatness with another bottle age; it has the potential to mature for 3-4 decades.

Decanter, 97 Points

Decanter adds its voice to the chorus of accolades with a 97-point rating, celebrating the remarkable maturity of the grapes in 2008, which combined with vibrant acidity to produce a wine of exceptional balance, concentration, and depth. Aged for nine years on its lees, it presents a bouquet of fresh lemon, strawberry, white chocolate, and candied peanut toastiness, leading to a silky palate with bittersweet fruit notes and a chalky, mineral finish.

Wine Advocate, 97+ Points 

The Wine Advocate echoes the sentiment with a 97+ point score, praising its refined mousse, superb concentration, incisive acids, and elegant interplay of oxidative nuances with fresh, vibrant fruit.

Vinous, 97 Points 

Vinous, awarding 97 points, highlights the wine's richness, creaminess, and vibrant floral and chalky notes, declaring it one of the best Grande Années in memory.

Wine & Spirits, Jasper Morris, Wine Spectator, Burghound, and Wine Enthusiast all contribute their own laudatory reviews, with scores ranging from 95 to 97 points. Each critic marvels at the wine's complexity, elegance, and aging potential, noting its array of flavors, refined texture, and extraordinary balance between power and finesse.

In essence, the 2008 La Grande Année from Bollinger stands as a pinnacle of Champagne craftsmanship, captivating critics with its unparalleled depth, precision, and potential for long-term evolution in the cellar.

Wine & Spirits, 97 Points 

"Gilles Descôtes blends this from 18 crus, pinot noir making up 71 percent of the blend (mostly from Aÿ and Verzenay), the balance from chardonnay (focused on Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant). The base wine ferments in oak barrels, adding to this Champagne’s concentrated power. Its dark intensity has the coolness of Bollinger’s deep aging cellars, even as the wine sustains delicate notes of wildflowers, morels and the perfumed grace of pinot noir. Massive and still youthful, the flavors rounded into a sphere, this is a wine to cellar." 

Jasper Morris, 96 Points 

"The 2008 Grand Année is the best wine I have tasted from the domain since the 1995! Leaning on the structure and expressive nature of Pinot Noir in 2008, we have a baseline of racy pear fruit that is slowly becoming juicy. Precise and fresh, although the oxidative complexity is there too, the wood adding amplitude as well as spicy notes of ginger, vanilla, and almond. Lovely mouthfeel, ample balance between power and finesse and so long. Excellent!" 

Wine Spectator,96 Points 

"Enticing hints of toasted cumin, ground anise and graphite waft from the glass of this harmonious, mouthwatering version, accenting the finely meshed flavors of crushed black currant, poached apricot, grilled nut and lemon curd. The texture shows a lovely viscosity, extending the flavor range, which expands on the lasting finish. *Collectible*" 

Burghound, 95 Points 

"A wonderfully elegant, pure and airy nose is beautifully layered with its pretty array of green apple, pear, white flower, rose petal, yeast and plenty of citrus elements. The elegance continues on the racy and intense flavors that are supported by a very fine mousse that imparts a lilting mouth feel to the notably dry, crisp and strikingly complex finale. This is an absolute knockout and a wine that should age for a very long time but because the complexity is so impressive, it could actually be enjoyed now. Even so, I will stash my bottles away for at least another 4 to 5 years." 

Wine Enthusiast, 95 Points 

"This is the producer’s equivalent of a Vintage Champagne. Fermented and aged in wood and then kept for nine years before release, this wine comes from an exceptional vintage that manages to combine ripe fruit and acidity, meaning the wine can age extraordinarily well. Although the wine is just ready, it will be much better from 2022 and for many years after. *Cellar Selection*" 

Alcohol: 12% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.