Wine Advisor
Bollinger, Francaises Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes 1999
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Description
Champagne Bollinger is a renowned winery located in the Champagne region of France. Established in 1829, it is known for producing high-quality Champagne using traditional methods. Francaises Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes is a prestigious Champagne made exclusively from old vine Pinot Noir grapes sourced from premier vineyards in France. This rare and limited cuvée showcases the depth and complexity that comes from the mature vines, offering a rich and full-bodied expression of Blanc de Noirs. With aromas of red fruits, toasted nuts, and a hint of spice, this Champagne exudes elegance and sophistication. The fine bubbles and long, lingering finish add to its luxurious character, making Francaises Blanc de Noirs Vieilles Vignes a sought-after choice for those who appreciate the finest Champagne.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1999 Vielles Vignes Francaises is simply stunning. Layers of perfumed red raspberries, flowers and spices flow onto the palate with breathtaking beauty. The mousse is exceptionally fine, as is everything about this wine. Although the wine possesses superb density and richness, it remains light on the palate and supremely graceful. This bottle was disgorged in July, 2008. Under the direction of Chef de Caves Mathieu Kauffmann, Bollinger produces one of the most consistent lineups in Champagne.Bollinger is one of the handful of larger firms that manages to put out consistently high quality wines despite its size. This estate based in Ay is probably best known to the public through its long association with the James Bond films, which is quite possibly one of the most successful product placement campaigns of all time. Despite the show biz glamor that has inextricably become part of the Bollinger mystique, at their best these are serious wines with significant aging potential. The low-dosage R.D. (recently-disgorged) series can be tremendous, and the Vielles Vignes Francaises, made from pre-phylloxera Pinot Noir vines, is one of Champagne's most exotic bottlings. The estate favors neutral oak barrels for the aging of its top wines. One of the most unique aspects of this estate is that the reserve wines are aged in magnum, rather than in tank, which is the prevailing custom in the region. Bollinger's back labels are quite informative, but it would be nice to see disgorgement dates as well on the non-vintage wines. Importer: Terlato Wines International, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A total of 4,930 bottles produced with a pH of 2.95. The 1999 VVF has a lovely nose, lots of mineralite, very floral with white flowers, orange-blossom, touches of apricot and passion fruit. Great intensity and marvellous definition. There is a faint hint of marmalade developing with time. It is quite delicate on the entry, fairly creamy, brioche notes coming through, without the structure or depth of the 1996. In fact it tails off towards the finish, as if it is losing interest or perhaps, cowering against the superior 1996. Drink now. Tasted December 2008.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1999 Vieilles Vignes Françaises is simply stunning. Layers of perfumed red raspberries, flowers and spices flow onto the palate with breathtaking beauty. The mousse is exceptionally fine, as is everything about this wine. Although the wine possesses superb density and richness, it remains light on the palate and supremely graceful. This bottle was disgorged in July 2008.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
We began with the 1999 Vieilles Vignes Française from Bollinger, disgorged in July 2008. It was an interesting opener. I must confess that I found this bottle more oxidative than I expected. Grilled walnut, pressed flowers and ginger spring up on the nose, the palate is intense with a fine bead of acidity. That oxidative element is quite powerful, and I find it rather distracting, especially compared to the purity expressed by the 2000 that blew me away a couple of years earlier. I wonder if there are better bottles out there?
About the Producer
Established in the commune of Aÿ-Champagne in 1829, the House of Bollinger is home to an impressive legacy of winemaking excellence, achieved through the polished precision of a finely tuned timepiece. Today, the Bollinger Champagne House reigns over 440 acres dedicated to the vine in the Champagne region of northern France, of which an impressive 85% is classified Grand Cru or Premier Cru. The vineyards are spread out over 7 main communes. Pinot Noir is planted in Ay (the headquarters of the House), as well as Avenay, Verzenay, Louvois and Tauxieres. Meanwhile, the House’s Chardonnay comes from Cuis, while Pinot Meunier is planted in Champvoisy. A complex and powerful grape, Pinot Noir represents 60% of the total plantings, which corresponds to the exact proportion of this grape variety in the blend of the House’s signature Special Cuvee. The two crown gems of the House are its twin plots, the Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, where ungrafted pre-phylloxera vines are tended to by hand, their fruit used to produce the very exclusive and rare Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises cuvee.
