BollingerVieillesVignesFrancaises2016

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. rrWeather: The 2016 vintage was not without its challenges. There was frost in late spring and very low temperatures in the vineyards, followed by a wet May, June and July, which increased the threat of disease. Thankfully August was warm and dry, which saved the crop, and harvest began on schedule in September. Fruit-forward, lush wines with vibrant acidity.rrTechnical Information:rVineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Aÿ: Chaudes Terres & Clos St-JacquesrGrape Varieties: 100% Pinot NoirrLees Ageing: 8 yearsrDosage: 4 g/lrProduction: 1736 BottlesrDrink: Now to 2038rrTasting Note: The 2016 Vieilles Vignes Françaises is a stunning, exotic beauty. Silky contours wrap around a core of apricot, tangerine, orange marmalade, spice, ginger, dried flowers and marzipan.A Champagne of real textural breath and intensity. It’s a superb wine with ripeness at its core and plenty of acidity & salinity keeping the finish fresh and light.