Bollinger La Grande Anée 1996
Rich gold in the glass - not dark yet, still with hints of green.
Hugely toasty on the nose with buttered mint and a touch of strawberry, nettles and summer hay.
Honey buttered toast, mouth-filling and textured with a luscious mousse, still slightly rambunctious bubbles. The finish is perfumed, coming through with the strawberry, nettles and mint. Then it shuts down, bizarrely, and becomes quite simple. Bizarre. I think it may be a touch too young perhaps still? There is greatness to come. Wait a bit.
***(**)
Tasted at Naughton, 23/03/2008