Live and let die: 2014 Bollinger 2016 Chevalier

[Nicklasss]

More comments later…

[Nicklasss]

2014 Grande Année was lemony,flowery, bread crust, saline, hazelnuts. Complex well made Champagne. Mouth has some light red berries, but swallowed in saline, confit lemon, ginger, light oak, and vine root length. Nasty. Tn : 95.

2022 Chablis was all about sea shell minerality, salt, and some light sweet apple fruit. Délicate but long. Some white flowers too. Tn: 90.

2016 Chevalier was… hum… well… very 2016. 8 years old, not closed at all, dark red, superb nose of acidic red berries, rich blackcurrants, smoke, violet flowers and berries, green tobacco and strong minerality. In mouth, this is amazingly balanced, mineral and smoky flavors, knocking on heaven doors blackcurrant creamy flavors, blue, purple, red berries, with great freshness (what 2018 will never have…) and immense ripe tannins. Finish is superbly perfumed, meaty, fruity, mineral, and a long 40-50 seconds final…. Congratulations to Mr. Bernard and his team. Tn: 96.

I feel convinced, my heart grabbed back by 2016… looking forward to taste some Calon, Pichon and Mouton, and my other bottles of Chevalier in the future!

[Winona Chief]

That 2014 Bollinger Grand Annee is wonderful. I’ve had it a couple times and thought it was great - glad to have 4 or 5 more bottles around here somewhere.

Chris Bublitz

[jckba]

Your usage of the word nasty in your Bollinger note makes me think that it might have another meaning north of the border?

And the DdC sounds splendid.

[stefan]

Some wonderful wines you drank, Nic. Is 2014 Grande Année already in its "plateau of maturity"?

[Nicklasss]

Your usage of the word nasty in your Bollinger note makes me think that it might have another meaning north of the border?

You’re right jckba:
Méchante bonne bouteille = Nasty good bottle.

Stefan, the 2014 Grande Année is already very enjoyable, but very serious and complex Champagne that will probably become even better in 7-10 years. The structure and oak character will integrate more.