The 2015 Brut La Grande Année was disgorged last year with eight grams per liter dosage. The wine has turned out beautifully, exhibiting a more muscular, old-school Bollinger profile in contrast to the unusually racy, fine-boned 2014 that preceded it. Wafting from the glass with notes of pear, orange oil and white flowers mingled with notions of mocha, toasted hazelnuts and fino sherry, it's medium to full-bodied, layered and textural, with a dense core of fruit framed by chalky structuring extract, concluding with a long, sapid finish. ~ (95) William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 3-29-2024

A bright yellow straw color, the 2015 Champagne La Grande Année is a little shy on the nose initially but opens to reveal a slightly sunnier feel with notes of mandarin orange, bitter almond, chalky earth, delicate toast, and spice. It’s more intense on the palate, with a pithy and broader structure. This was a tricky year, but the mousse is lively and has lift, and is not overtly vegetal in the profile. A full-bodied and savory wine all the way through, with a briny feel on the finish, it’s going to benefit from another year or two in bottle and drink well over the coming 10-15 years.For a long time, Bollinger only allowed private visits, but they plan to open a visiting center in 2027 in the center of Ay and are also going to increase production from their current 4000 barrels to 5500. In addition, they’re going to start adding information to the label of their Special Cuvée. In speaking to people at the estate, they also emphasized how proud they are of the one million-plus reserve magnums they’ve been ageing in their cellars for five, ten, twelve or more years. ~ (94) Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck.com 12-20-2024

Mid straw. Very deep-flavoured on the nose. Some richness and only the beginning of Bollinger's trademark mushroom flavour which I would expect to develop with time. Lighter on the palate than the nose at the moment. It's currently a little more sprightly than some Grande Années. ~ (17) Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com 4-21-2024

Enticing, fragrant aromas of toast, lemon zest and an earthy-smoky nuance lead to a palate of subtle Bosc-pear, mango, papaya, even pineapple flavors. Lifted by fresh acidity on the medium-bodied palate, the wine keeps unfolding in toasted walnuts, honey and a dash of bitter marmalade. It’s mouth-filling, alive with acidity and full of finesse. Drink or hold. ~ (96) James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 3-22-2024

Bollinger's 2015 Brut Grand Année is an intriguing wine in that is clearly reflects the decision to pick on the later side in order to avoid vegetal notes derived from the mismatch of alcoholic and phenolic ripeness. "Balance was hard to achieve in 2015," Chef de Cave Denis Bunner notes. "At 10% in sugar, the fruit was simply not ripe. We had to wait to reach the optimal window of ripeness." Bunner also opted to increase the Chardonnay, so the blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, as opposed to the more typical 70/30 blend, with more Verzenay than Aÿ in the Pinots. Dried citrus peel, sage, menthol, sage, tangerine peel and spice build with some coaxing. Light tropical overtones develop with aeration. There's real density and textural richness here. This will be a fascinating vintage to follow. Stylistically, it is the complete opposite from the much more linear 2014 that precedes it. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Disgorged: May 2023. ~ (96) Antonio Galloni , Vinous 3-1-2024