Close
Search
Filters

Champagne Brut Vieilles Vignes Françaises 1999 75cl

AOC Grand Cru | Vallée de la Marne | Champagne | France
Sold out
Critics scores
95 Robert Parker
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.
Producer
Bollinger
One of the greatest names in Champagne, the House of Bollinger has been steadily growing since 1829. Founded by Jacques Bollinger and Paul Renaudin, the largest expansion took place during the mid- to late-1990s under the leadership of Madame Lily Bollinger. Today, the legendary estate is run by her great-nephew, Ghislain de Montgolfier. Their international reputation has been driven by their commitment to producing sophisticated, yet powerful and complex, Pinot Noir dominated Champagnes. The non-vintage Special Cuvée is classy stuff, a rich and full bodied sparkling. While the exceptional Grande Année and Grande Anneé Rosé are also top-of-the-line benchmark Champagnes. The noteworthy Champagne R.D. (récemment dégorgé or recently disgorged), benefits from up to ten years on the lees, the creamy, even toasty flavors make this exceptionally well-balanced wine a signature Bollinger.