92 2000 Bollinger La Grande Anneé Brut 1/1/11 ($120)63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay GrandsCrus 76%, 1er Crus 24% 12%alc disgorged Jan '09
Color: Pretty, deep gold with a mousse of tiny bubbles. (3.5) Bouquet: Toasted brioche, ripe pear and lots of yeast with Pinot power. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent chalky acidity, yeast and fruit. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with a solid mid-palate of toasted brioche and yeast. The ripe pear is rich and tasty, but could be more concentrated. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor, but fruit fades away faster than hoped for, leaving yeast and toast. (3.0)
Overall: An outstanding Pinot Noir heavy, vintage Champagne. Not quite as good as it was last year, with less young fruit. This is particularly noticeable in the dry, slightly hollow finish. Hopefully it will come through and sweeten with age. Still very big, yet elegant stuff. Don't serve too cold. (16.5)
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