This mythical cuvee from the house of Bollinger, Les Vieilles Vignes Françaises 1999, emanates from three Grand Cru parcels of vines which survived the devastating phylloxera epidemic which ravaged the French vineyards at the end of the XIXth century.
The vineyards of Champagne that had been entirely destroyed were later replanted with American grafted vines. Les Vieilles Vignes Françaises made from original non grafted vines perpetuates the memory of those lost vineyards. These three parcels are "Chaudes Terres" in Aÿ (24 acres overlooked by the Bollinger Estate), "Clos St Jacques" also in Aÿ (21 acres) and "Croix Rouge" in Bouzy (13 acres).
On average 2500 bottles of this very rare champagne are produced each year. Les Vieilles Vignes Françaises is deep and brilliant in aspect.
This 1999 vintage explodes with an incredible aromatic density, controlled power and fabulous complexity.
After disgorging by hand, Les Vieilles Vignes Françaises is lightly dosed (7 to 9 g/l).
The 1999 vintage can happily be considered part of the Bollinger legend. It is at once supple and powerful, tense and vinous.
This is an immense champagne already very approachable, but which will age elegantly for several decades to come.
