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Champagne Bollinger

Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2009

Champagne, France

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Vieilles Vignes Françaises is one of Champagne’s most mythical cuvees, produced from miraculously preserved and ungrafted 100% Pinot Noir vines. Phylloxera destroyed the vines of Champagne in the early 20th century, but amazingly enough two of Bollinger’s classified Grands crus plots, Chaudes Terres and Clos St. Jacques, survived and are still grown the traditional way. Madame Lily Bollinger first had this wine produced in 1969 as an anniversary cuvee to commemorate her 70th birthday. Following the wine’s launch in 1974, Vieilles Vignes Françaises promptly became a collectible and a symbol of a bygone era. Over the decades, its uniqueness and scarcity have made it one of the most sought-after and expensive Champagnes.

VINEYARD

The wine is thought to be the eternal soul of Champagne. It is produced from the only two pre-phylloxera vineyards in the region, Chaudes Terres and Clos St Jacques, in Aÿ. These Grands crus plots are 100% ungrafted Pinot Noir. The vines are grown the traditional way, following the “provinage” method, worked by hand and even sometimes with the help of a cart-horse.

WINEMAKING

Made in the traditional way, this wine ages on the lees for more than twice the time required by the appellation. It has moderate dosage of 4 g/l.

VINTAGE

At Bollinger, only very high quality harvests become a vintage. The 2009 season was an exceptional one, revealing a very refreshing Champagne that brings out the full impact of the fruit. The parcels of Vieilles Vignes Françaises were harvested on September 16th.

TASTING NOTES

This wine is a true gift to experience. Deep gold color.Complex, lively and smooth with intense aromas of quince jelly, mirabelle plum and dry fruits give way to subtle notes of mocha and toasted bread. On the palate the wine presents a very wide aromatic spectrum is expressed in a delectable, rich and precise palate.
It has remarkable length, marked by a saline finish.

PAIRING

The 2009 can be enjoyed with any beautiful dish, but can also be savored on its own. Collectors will share it thoughtfully in order to experience its unmatched flavors in the company of others – so in those cases, we recommend white caviar and Alba truffle to complement the wine.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir

Appellation

Champagne, France

Farming

The two remaining pre-phylloxera plots used for this wine are grown the traditional way, following the “provinage” method, worked by hand and even sometimes with the help of a cart-horse.

Alcohol

12%

Suggested Retail Price

$1050

Reviews

96

"One of the most compelling wines"

Vinous (96+) - August 28, 2020 "With a few hours of air, apricot, plum, spice, dried cherry and candied orange peel start to appear. In some years, VVF can be quite opulent, 2002 and 2010 come to mind. The 2009, on the other hand is much more vibrant. VVF remains one of the most compelling wines – still or sparkling – in the world. It emerges from ungrafted Pinot Noir vines in Aÿ’s Chaudes Terres and Clos St. Jacques lieu-dits and is vinified and aged in barrel. Dosage is 4 grams per liter."  

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