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Champagne Bollinger

Vieilles Vignes Francaises 2012

Champagne

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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 collectable Champagnes.

VINEYARD

When phylloxera destroyed Champagne's vineyards in the early 20th century, two Bollinger Grand Cru plots in Aÿ survived untouched: Chaudes Terres and Clos St Jacques. Still farmed by hand using the traditional provignage method, these ungrafted vines are among the last of their kind in Champagne, and Vieilles Vignes Françaises remains one of the wine world's most extraordinary and moving legacies.

WINEMAKING

A 100% Grand Cru Pinot Noir sourced exclusively from Bollinger's two legendary ungrafted plots in Aÿ, Les Chaudes Terres and Le Clos St Jacques, fermented entirely in aged oak barrels in the classic Bollinger tradition. Aged on the lees for more than twice the appellation minimum and sealed with natural cork during aging, the wine is released with a dosage of 6 g/L. Just 2,193 numbered bottles were produced, each hand-dressed.

VINTAGE

The 2012 wine year is distinguished by a long growing cycle and significant rainfall. The patience and expertise of the Maison's teams allowed a ripe and homogeneous harvest on September 13, 2012.

TASTING NOTE

Deep gold, with aromas of quince jam, mirabelle plum, hazelnut, and candied lemon with sweet spices. Ample, powerful, and lively on the palate, finishing with a hint of sea-air.

FOOD PAIRING

This wine can be accompanied by the rarest dishes, but it is best enjoyed sans accompaniment and with solemnity

Color

White

Blend %

100% Sparkling Blend

Appellation

Champagne

Alcohol

12.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$1900

Reviews

98

Wine Advocate - December 15, 2023

98

James Suckling - August 2, 2023

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Champagne Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2012 Tech Sheet

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Rosé

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PN

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This limited edition cuvée celebrates 2 important milestones. Firstly, it celebrates the historic partnership between Bollinger and Bond. Bollinger has been the exclusive Champagne partner of Bond since 1979, so 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of their relationship. Secondly, it celebrates the release of the upcoming movie, No Time to Die, which will be the 25th movie in the series (and Bollinger’s 15th Bond movie since the start of the partnership).

La Côte aux Enfants

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A stunning and extremely rare, still red wine produced only for the greatest vintages. This wine harmoniously combines 100% Pinot Noir Grand Cru fruit from an exceptional vineyard with traditional Burgundian style winemaking. Historically, Pinot Noirs from Aÿ were the most popular wines of the French court, specifically a favorite of King Henri IV, and La Côte aux Enfants comes from a steep plot just outside of the village. This wine is the purest expression of Pinot Noir, offering a fine, delicate texture in the mouth, and a tautness giving it a beautifully long finish.

La Grande Année Rosé

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