2016 Cedric Bouchard La Boloree
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Tasting notes
The 2016 Champagne Blanc De Blancs La Bolorée is made from Pinot Blanc and has a light green tinge that could possibly come from the year. From vines grown in clay, limestone, sand, and chalk, planted in 1960, the wine has structure and focus. It’s still young, but it's demonstrating clarity with its notes of key lime. There’s no almond at this stage. I would never guess this is Pinot Blanc by blind tasting, except that it’s meant for those who appreciate earthy qualities. It's all mineral and soil initially, but as it opens up, it changes dramatically, revealing fresh pineapple notes, while the mousse is secondary but still very present. Drink this now or hold it for decades. No filtration and zero dosage for all of these wines.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Blanc de Blancs La Bolorée has turned out especially well, unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp white peach and pear mingled with white flowers, mirabelle plums, blanched almonds and freshly baked bread. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and incisive, it's deep and concentrated, with prodigious reserves of chalky dry extract, racy acids and a long, precise finish. This is a serious La Bolorée, built for the long haul—even if, like all of Bouchard's wines, it delivers plenty of pleasure straight out of the gates.
The 2016 Blanc de Blancs La Bolorée is a Champagne of soaring intensity. Old Pinot Blanc vines on limestone yield a Champagne infused with striking mineral-laced energy. Green apple, pear, white flowers, crushed rocks and white pepper all race out of the glass. La Bolorée needs a few years in bottle to be at its best, although exercising that sort of patience in front of one of the world's most iconic wines is nearly impossible. Let me just say, when I want to serve my most cherished bottles for a special occasion, La Bolorée is often at the top of the list. Zero dosage. Disgorged: April, 2020.
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Product details
12.5%
Blanc De Blancs