The 2012 Bollinger Grande Annee is a meticulously crafted Champagne blend that has garnered significant praise from numerous wine critics. This vintage, hailing from the renowned Champagne region of France, is a testament to Bollinger's dedication to quality and traditional winemaking techniques.
Disgorged in July 2019, this Champagne presents a complex bouquet that is still developing, as noted by William Kelley from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, who awarded it a score of 95. Kelley describes the bouquet as featuring "crisp yellow orchard fruit, fresh peach, orange oil, toasted walnuts, and dried apricot." He highlights the wine's full-bodied and muscular characteristics, with a "weightier and even more concentrated palate built around a bright spine of acidity" and a chalky finish.
Wine Spectator's reviewer, A.N., gave the 2012 Bollinger Grande Annee an excellent score of 97, noting that it "goes from zero to 60 right out of the gate" with an intense acidity driving flavors of black currant, ground coffee, and toasted almond. A.N. emphasizes its "fine, raw silk-like mousse" and a richly aromatic profile, suggesting it is drinkable now but can age until 2037.
Decanter's review, which scored the wine 93, focuses on its texture and the seductive quality of its predominant Pinot Noir component, which adds "plums, cherry, and hints of cedar." The wine is described as "energetic, vital, and brimming with potential."
Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss awarded it a score of 96, noting that although it is still young, the wine has "an immense future ahead of it." Voss highlights the oak fermentation and aging, which contribute to the wine's promise of developing rich toastiness over time.
James Suckling, also scoring it 95, praises its bold statement with "concentrated red-berry, nectarine, grapefruit, and cashew aromas," and appreciates its "juiciness and brightness" with a long, graceful finish.
Jeb Dunnuck, who rated it 96, finds it not far off from the magical 2008 vintage, with "beautiful notes of white flowers, white grapefruit, salty minerality, sliced apple, and hazelnut." He recommends allowing it 2-4 years of bottle age for it to reach its full potential, with an aging potential of over 20 years.
Wine & Spirits' review, also giving it a 96, describes the wine's blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, noting its "immediacy to its bubbles" and "classical flavors" that expand with air. The wine is characterized by its "potent, salty, and long" finish, with a subtle ghost of oak lingering.
In summary, the 2012 Bollinger Grande Annee is a robust and complex Champagne with high aging potential, praised for its structure, depth, and expressive flavors.
