Bollinger Champagne La Grande Annee 1999 1.5L bottle - Vins Rare

93 BH

92 WA

Notes:

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, December 2009
The 1999 La Grande Annee is a refined, elegant wine with pretty, exotic notes of apricots, peaches, honey, flowers, smoke and toasted oak. There is notable clarity and precision, in a style that is generous and approachable. The 1999 La Grande Annee is 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay, of which 82% came from grand cru vineyards while 18% came from premier cru sites spanning a total of 16 villages. The wine was aged in oak and dosage was 7-9 grams. This bottle was disgorged in July, 2007. I also tasted the February, 2008 disgorgement which showed a more opulent, quality that I found utterly sensual and irresistible. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014. 92 points

Allen Meadows' Burghound; October 2009
This was reviewed two years ago and it is coming along quite nicely even if still not quite ready. It remains a very elegant and pure wine that is youthful and still has not developed any overt secondary aromas though you can sense that these are not far away. The moderately tight and focused flavors are beginning to develop lovely depth and length with solid energy. I would suggest cellaring this for at least another 2 to 3 years and as I observed in the last review, 10 to 15 are not out of the question for those who enjoy well-aged examples. An excellent Champagne but a bit more patience is required. 93 Points.

Brad Baker, Champagne Warrior, January 2009
An open and rather fruit filled nose greets me with scents of orange marmalade, apples, spunky/nutty citrus laced oak, and a hint of dough. The palate is just as open for business as the nose and batches of rich, bold, fruit flavors invite me to join their party. Citrus infused biscuit dough mixes with hints of sherry laced apple cider and leads into a long and slightly creamy and prickly apple pie finish. The longer this stays open the bolder the biscuit and pie crust flavors get, but the fruit is right there to keep it all nicely in balance. What can I say except that this Champagne will take you for a ride and is guaranteed to please.
Ive been a bit shocked by how open the last few vintages of Bollingers Grande Anne have been. The 1996, 1997, and now the 1999 have all been pretty good right out of the gate. While I dont see this as a negative, it does have me questioning how long to let them rest. In past vintages, I was a big believer in letting them sleep and blossom. With the recent releases, Im not so sure. That said, I should add that aging is not a prerequisite to being an outstanding wine. A wine peaks when it peaks. I only wish to let everyone know when I think it will drink best. Whether that is today or tomorrow has nothing to do with how good I think a wine is.
As for the 1999, it has a brightness that the 1997 lacks and is a bit more fun than the equally excellent 1996 (which is also drinking well right now). You dont have to drink the 1999 now, but there is nothing wrong with doing so. It should fill out a bit over the next decade, but it wont necessarily get any better.(37% Chardonnay, 63% Pinot Noir; 82% Grand Crus, 18% Premier Crus; Fermented in oak barrels; Disgorged March 2006; $85-110 US) 90-92 Points

Vins Rare