The World of Fine Wine published an in depth feature on Champagne Bollinger, “2014 Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants and Vieilles Vignes Françaises: Black beauties” timed to the global release of these covetable wines. Highlighting House’s reputation for excellence and expertise working with Pinot Noir, the writer notes that Bollinger continues to impress with its mastery in crafting exquisite blanc de noirs even in challenging vintages. The article provides an in depth look at the 2014 releases of La Côte aux Enfants Champagne and Vieilles Vignes Françaises, underscoring how these wines exemplify this prowess, showcasing the house’s dedication to quality and tradition.
The 2014 Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants, made from 100% Pinot Noir sourced from the deeply sloped monopole vineyard in its grand cru home village of Aÿ, presents an expressive nose with notes of brioche, crème fraîche, and marzipan, evolving to hints of acacia honey and fruit pastes. On the palate, it offers a generous creaminess, with flavors of toasted hazelnuts, dried apricot, and quince jelly, complemented by a bright acidity that adds exceptional complexity.
The 2014 Vieilles Vignes Françaises (VVF), the Maison’s most iconic 100% Pinot Noir produced from its own pre-phylloxera roots, is a complex and powerful vintage Champagne. With extended aging in Bollinger’s cellars, it embodies the memory of heritage, symbolizing the almost-forgotten Champagne of yesteryear. VVF is a unicorn wine, without question.
The article provides a comprehensive write up of the harvest and the wines, which reflect Bollinger’s unwavering commitment to quality, available to read HERE
Champagne Bollinger_Fine Wine_12.10.24Related Wines
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants Champagne
Champagne, France
Established by Jacques Bollinger between 1926 and 1934, La Côte aux Enfants is a steep hillside vineyard located on the outskirts of Aÿ. This unique parcel has been a source of endless fascination, producing some of the most highly prized Pinot Noir in the region. Aware of its potential, it became Champagne Bollinger’s ambition to produce a great vintage Champagne exclusively from this vineyard, with 100% Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from the north-west side of the hill, revealing a particularly refined expression of La Côte aux Enfants vineyard.
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises
Champagne, France
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.
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2013
Champagne, France
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.
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne Bollinger La Côte aux Enfants Champagne 2013
Champagne, France
Established by Jacques Bollinger between 1926 and 1934, La Côte aux Enfants is a steep hillside vineyard located on the outskirts of Aÿ. This unique parcel has been a source of endless fascination, producing some of the most highly prized Pinot Noir in the region. Aware of its potential, it became Champagne Bollinger's ambition to produce a great vintage Champagne exclusively from this vineyard, with 100% Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from the north-west side of the hill, revealing a particularly refined expression of La Côte aux Enfants vineyard.
Related Producers
Champagne Bollinger
Champagne, France
Bollinger is one of the rare Grande Marques that’s still family owned. Known for its rich, elegant and polished style of Champagne, their outstanding wines are the result of rigorous attention to detail and incredibly labor-intensive practices that few houses are willing to undertake. Underscoring its excellence, Bollinger has remained British secret agent James Bond's Champagne of choice since 1973.
