BollingerVieillesVignesFrancaises2008

Champagne Bollinger owns an impressive 178 hectares of vineyards, of which 85% are in Grand Cru and Premier Cru villages. Their land is spread over seven main villages: Aÿ, Avenay, Louvois, Tauxières and Verzenay planted with Pinot Noir; Cuis with Chardonnay; and Champvoisy with Meunier. Bollinger are one of the few Houses to produce the majority of their own grapes for their blends. Pinot Noir represents 60% of the House’s vineyards and defines the House style: complex and powerful with remarkable structure. In 2012 Champagne Bollinger was certified High Environment Value (HEV) this certification rewards a number of environmental procedures implemented at the Maison.rrIn the early 20th century, almost all of the vines of Champagne were destroyed by phylloxera â€?a microscopic insect that feeds on the roots and leaves of grapevines. As a result, everything in the region had to be replanted using American rootstock as their roots were resistant to the devastating bug. All the Bollinger vineyards were re-planted except two small plots next to the winery: Chaudes Terres and Clos St-Jacques. Both plots are incredibly small: a total size of 0.36 hectares and are the sole contributors to Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises. Until recently, this exclusive cuvée was produced from three small plots including Croix Rouge, however this plot was lost to phylloxera. The Chaudes Terres and Clos St-Jacques vineyards are grown the traditional way following the provignage method (layering) working the plot by hand and sometimes with the help of a cart-horse.rrBollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises has only been created as an individual cuvée since 1970 and is a symbol of a bygone era: a reminiscent, extraordinary and moving legacy. Just 3,180 numbered bottles of Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2008 were produced. rrWeather: After a rainy but mild winter without any prolonged cold spells, spring arrived with some very localised frosts. Cool weather returned in June and the infrequent sunshine prolonged the feeling of freshness. The spring to autumn weather was bright with sunny spells and the long, hot days and cool nights during September gave the grapes excellent acidity during the harvest period. The 2008 vintage is fast emerging as one of the best since the renowned and now-legendary 2002.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Aÿ: Chaudes Terres & Clos St-JacquesrGrape Varieties: 100% Pinot NoirrLees Ageing: 8 yearsrProduction: 3,180 bottlesrDosage: 6 g/lrDrink: Now to 2030rrTasting Note: A deep golden colour with mirabelle plum and dry fruits on the nose. A very broad aromatic spectrum is expressed through an unctuous, precise and saline quality on the palate with notes of nuts, spices and verbena. It has remarkable length, marked by a lemony, chalky finish.