Today we share the storied Champagne house, Bollinger. What began back in 1829 in Ay by Hennequin de Villermont, Paul Renaudin and Jacques Bollinger, at the present day the house continues to be run by members of the Bollinger family. The winery is very popular in Britain as Bollinger Champagnes have been come to be known as “Bolly”. We can find the first roots back in 1585 when the Hennequins, one of the Bollinger founding families, owned land nearby. Before the Bollinger house was founded, in the 18th century the Villermont family made wine and then 1750, Villermont settled in the location 16 rue Jules Lobet, which would eventually become the head office for Bollinger.
After the death of Jacques Bollinger in 1941, Lily Bollinger managed the brand and expanded production considerably. Since 1994, Ghislain de Mongolfier has managed Bollinger. A great-grandson of the founder, Mongolfier has also served as president of the Association Viticole Champenoise since 2004, after leading the Commission of Champagne for 10 years. I love the range of Bollinger Champagnes and they are probably best known for their ‘Special Cuvee’ Champagne that is Pinot Noir dominant and includes reserve wines that are up to fifteen years of age.
I am enamored by the new Champagne Bollinger PN AYC21 (OB, 96) which is gorgeous, round and generous stuff. This Pinot Noir based stunner is based on the 2021 vintage. Learn more about this famed Champagne house at https://www.champagne-bollinger.com Here is my review of the beautiful new release by Champagne Bollinger.
Champagne Bollinger ‘PN TX20’ Champagne- The ‘PN TX20’ Champagne by Bollinger mainly comes from Tauxières terroir, as this utilizes a 2020 base year. It is golden in the glass, as 2008 and 2012 vintage wines make up more than 25% of the blend. It has an incredibly soft mousse, with a fat and unctuous mouthfeel. Starfruit and papaya fruits mingle well with ginger, and salted green melon on the palate, with cashew nut accents. Extremely complex and dense, enjoy this heady and delightful Champagne now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2026-2040- 95
Champagne Bollinger PN AYC21- The Champagne Bollinger ‘PN AYC21’ Champagne is made of wine from the 2021 as a base, including 51% reserve wines from years such as 2012, 2013, and 2014. It comes from Aÿ, as well as parcels from Tauxières and Mutigny and was given 8G/L dosage. It is a big, round and generous wine that really needs to be served in a larger vessel. Pretty guava and red cherry fruits combine with shades of orange blossom on the nose. The palate is heady and decadent with a tremendous lift from what is most likely more mineral-laden vintages (E.G. 2013). The refined mousse really entices as this is drinking brilliantly now and has another fifteen years to go in the cellar. Drink 2026-2041- 96
2018 Champagne Bollinger ‘La Grande Annee’ Champagne- The brilliant 2018 Champagne Bollinger ‘La Grande Annee’ Champagne really needs half an hour of air before consuming. The wine comes off very reminiscent of the 2015 in terms of its warmth and flavor density. It is a world-class blend of 66% Pinot Noir, with 34% Chardonnay that was aged on the lees for more than five years before disgorgement in March 2025. Given 7G/L dosage, this slowly unveils layers of marzipan and salted melon fruit aromatics that collide with nectarine skin. The palate comes off big, round and dense with a refined mousse and fabulous texture. Drinking marvelously now with its nutty and stony mineral nuances, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 96