93+(?) 2000 Bollinger Grande Année Brut 12/25/09 ($110)
13% alc
Color: Deep gold. (3.5) Bouquet: Buttered toast, elegant Cognac and yeasty bread dough. (3.5) Body: Heavyweight with excellent fruit and power/structure. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but the dry acidity is slightly austere here. Shows bright apple fruit, but could be sweeter. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with dry, chalky acidity lingering. (3.0)
Overall: An outstanding, Pinot Noir-heavy Champagne with excellent fruit and structure. It is slightly closed in the flavor and finish with the dry, chalky acidity needing time to calm down. Everything is in place though, so I'm optimistic that this could achieve greatness with a little more time, say 1-3 years. Better than the '97 or '99 was at this point in its development, but not quite the '96. (16.5)
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