2005 Champagne Bollinger, La Grande Année, Brut

Bollinger's 2005 La Grande Anne is a classical but comparatively precocious rendition of this cuve that's already drinking well, offering up aromas of honeyed yellow apples, dried white flowers, English walnuts, praline and tea leaves. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and vinous, with a fine mousse, ripe acids and a dry, richly saline finish. It was disgorged with six grams per liter dosage after more than nine years sur lattes. While this isn't a historic vintage for Bollinger or for Champagne as a whole, it's a persuasive Grande Anne that exemplifies the house style.