Champagne Bollinger - Rosé

A prestigious traditional house based in Aÿ since 1829, Bollinger remains at the very pinnacle of Champagne. Its 178-hectare vineyard, comprising Grand Crus and Premiers Crus, provides 60% of its supply. All vintage wines are vinified in barrels, as is a small portion of the house’s multi-vintage brut, the Special Cuvée. This cuvée benefits from a high proportion of reserve wines stored in magnums, ensuring unparalleled precision in the blends. In recent years, the house has been creating exciting new cuvées: a “blanc de noir” from Aÿ sourced from the Côte aux Enfants parcel, which also produces a superb Coteau Champenois. And Pinot Noir cuvées whose names are derived from the dominant cru in the blend, which varies each year. All of the house’s wines shine at the table.

A renowned house founded in 1829 by Joseph Bollinger, a wine merchant originally from Württemberg. It has remained a family-owned business, although since 2008 it has been chaired by someone from outside the family (Charles-Armand de Belenet since 2017). With a 179-hectare vineyard dominated by Pinot Noir (60%) and its own cooperage, the house is committed to maintaining its signature style, based on expert blends of wines vinified separately in oak barrels (reused to avoid overpowering oak notes) and in small-capacity tanks. As for the reserve wines, they are stored in magnums under “petite mousse.” Bottling is done with cork stoppers, and the wines undergo extended aging on the lees. Gilles Descôtes joined the company in 2003 and, in 2013, succeeded six cellar masters.

A wave of freshness opens the bouquet, highlighted by notes of licorice, small red berries (red currant, raspberry), and vine peach, accompanied by a hint of chocolate. This freshness is reflected in a lively palate, carried by fine bubbles and a slight bitterness. The juiciness of the red and white fruits adds a delicious richness, while the dosage brings out the roundness of the texture. Citrus notes ensure a finish that retains its liveliness.

The latest vintage of Bollinger’s Brut Rosé NV is particularly impressive, offering complex aromas of sweet stone fruits, honeycomb, freshly baked bread, and orange oil, followed by a medium-bodied to full-bodied palate that is smooth and vinous. The palate is medium-bodied to full-bodied, smooth, and vinous. Layered and concentrated, with a very fine mousse and ripe yet racy acidity, it concludes with a long, expansive finish.

This rosé has depth, a lovely, velvety head, and a gentle tartness.

If there’s one brand with a strong personality and a highly recognizable style, it’s Bollinger. This house in Aÿ, which remains family-owned, produces wines dominated by Pinot Noir—full-bodied, deep, and subtly aged. Bollinger’s history is incredibly rich. It is a leading house that is always at the forefront of innovation. The longevity of its older vintages attests to this commitment to excellence, passed down from generation to generation. The character and richness of these fine dining champagnes remain a model for others to follow.

Made from the 2020 harvest, with just 5% red wine added, this Champagne Brut Rosé NV boasts a bright salmon-pink hue and bursts from the glass with aromas of crushed roses, cardamom, ripe raspberries, and toasted brioche. Full-bodied, it is juicy from the first sip, filling the palate with refined red fruits and blood orange, and features a round mousse and a long finish. Perfect as an aperitif or to round out the evening, it seems to have a bright future ahead of it. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2033. The dosage is 8 grams per liter.