2018 Bollinger La Grande Annee Brut, Champagne

This 2018 Vintage Champagne, made with 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, is bright, harmonious and approachable with youthful citrus and florals now joined by honeyed toast that builds in the glass. Dry with creamy acidity while layers of brioche and gingerbread fill out a very long and textural finish. Delicious now with undoubted staying power.

95 points Angus Hughson, WinePilot

2018's generosity and open-knit structure yields an immediately fine, rewarding Grande Année full of white peach, grilled almond, sweet raspberry and blackberry Pinot fruit, held with customary Bollinger savour in some sea salt and briny restraint. There's a gentle apricot-skin grip speaking of the heat of the year, while a gentle fresh tang of dried citrus from Chardonnay keeps things moving. There's substance and fruit flesh up front here, but it's a less forceful wine than the 2015, well pitched for approaching in its first five years of life as well as beyond.

94 points Tom Hewson, Decanter

Aromas of quince, wet stones, roasted apples, pralines, wilted rose petals, yellow plums and acacia. The mousse is creamy and finely textured, leading to a captivating saline finish. A fine expression of Bollinger. A blend of pinot noir and chardonnay. Disgorged October 2025. 6 g/L dosage. Drink or hold.

96 points James Suckling

Founded in 1829 in Aÿ, Champagne Bollinger remains one of the great family owned houses, renowned for its powerful, beautifully structured Champagnes and uncompromising approach to winemaking. La Grande Année is the house's prestige vintage cuvée, produced only when the harvest meets Bollinger's exacting standards. The 2018 is a particularly enticing release, combining the generosity of a warm vintage with the richness and complexity that define this celebrated Champagne.

The 2018 growing season delivered an abundant harvest of beautifully ripe fruit. Pinot Noir forms the backbone of La Grande Année, complemented by Chardonnay from predominantly Grand Cru vineyards. Fermentation in small oak barrels and extended ageing on lees contribute to its distinctive depth, fine texture and savoury complexity.

Brilliant golden straw with a fine, persistent mousse. Ripe yellow apple, white peach and candied citrus mingle with toasted brioche, roasted hazelnut and delicate spice. The palate is rich and beautifully composed, with succulent orchard fruit, creamy bubbles and refreshing acidity balancing its generous character. Notes of almond pastry, lemon zest and chalky minerality lead into a long, elegant, gently saline finish.

A wonderful Champagne for the table. Try it with roasted marron and tarragon, crisp skinned barramundi with a saffron sauce, or wild mushroom and chestnut pithivier. Its depth and savoury character also make it an exceptional partner for aged Parmesan.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2040+. Delicious in its youth, with the structure and richness to develop beautifully over the next decade and beyond.