In Bond Fine Wine. 2013 Bollinger, Champagne, France. White champagne in 3x75cl. Top critic score: 99/100 (JS). Drinking window: 2025–2040. Sold in bond by Albany Vintners, independent fine wine merchants.
William Kelley (WK) — 97/100 · Wine Advocate, RobertParker.com, 14/12/2023 · Drink 2025-2040
While one might have expected the cool, northwest-facing part of this famed A' vineyard to produce a rather unyielding wine in a vintage like this, Bollinger's brilliant 2013 Brut Blanc de Noirs La C'te Aux Enfants is actually easier to understand than the rather more reserved inaugural 2012 release. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of smoky orchard fruit, crisp peach, beeswax, mocha, warm spic…
James Suckling (JS) — 99/100 · JamesSuckling.com, 07/07/2023
Complex aromas of pie crust, iron, chalk and hints of sweet strawberries. Some ginseng. Full-bodied with very fine bubbles that give it tension and focus. Extremely fine and polished tannins that go on and on. Dried lemons and oranges. Chalk at the end. Hints of bitterness in the finish with subtle botanicals. Made from a single vineyard monopole of pure pinot noir. Drink now.