The Wine Advocate reviewer Kristaps Karklins spotlighted Champagne Bollinger in a dedicated feature, “Champagne: Bollinger’s La Côte aux Enfants 2012–2015, Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2004–2016 and More.” The piece offers a deep dive into the house’s evolving expressions of Pinot Noir. The article follows Karklins’ tasting of every vintage of La Côte aux Enfants Champagne to date, alongside multiple releases of Vieilles Vignes Françaises and the new PN series, emphasizing the estate’s pursuit of purity, precision, and age-worthiness in Pinot Noir.
The report also underscores that Pinot Noir lies at the core of Bollinger’s identity, making up around 60% of its vineyard holdings. In preparation for its 200th anniversary in 2029, the house is undergoing a long-term transformation focused on sustainability and craftsmanship—including full organic conversion, the elimination of herbicides, and the production of barrels from estate-grown oak.
It is definitely worth reading the full article and detailed notes of the 100% Pinot Noir wines, available HERE, but short tasting snapshots are below:
Champagne Bollinger Wines & Notes
- PN TX20 (non-vintage)
Aged in both stainless steel and oak; matured reserve wines in magnums. Generous with 8g/L dosage—adds softness but may feel broad when young. - La Côte aux Enfants Champagne Blanc de Noirs (2012–2015)
Finer-boned and tensile compared to other Bollinger wines. These Champagnes show purity, lifted structure, and precise minerality thanks to their steep, chalky slope vineyard in Aÿ.- Wine Advocate rated La Côte aux Enfants Champagne 2013, the current release available in the U.S., with 96 points. The publication declared it a standout vintage, combining Pinot Noir power with incisive acidity and a pure, chalky core. Chiseled and mineral, it offers deep complexity and remarkable tension
- Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2016
Sourced from ungrafted Pinot Noir vines in Clos Saint-Jacques and Clos Chaudes-Terres. The 2016 vintage balances richness and freshness, with modest 10.2% potential alcohol and remarkable energy. - Vieilles Vignes Françaises (2004–2015)
Older vintages reviewed in the vertical tasting showcase bold intensity and rare longevity. Limited production (1,000 bottles annually) adds to their mythical status.
