Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises 2016

Tasting notes follow characteristics and details.

Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises 2016

Characteristics

Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises 2016 is a blanc de noirs Champagne made exclusively from pinot noir. This extra brut Champagne has a dosage of 4 grams per liter, fermented entirely in small old oak barrels. 2016 resulted in the production of 1,736 bottles.

Vineyards are 100% Grand Cru (Aÿ: Chaudes Terres & Clos St-Jacques).

The pinot noir harvest is from two small plots next to the winery (Chaudes Terres and Clos St-Jacques). Both plots are incredibly small, totaling a mere 0.36 hectares and are the sole contributors to Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises.

• Dry/Sweet: Brut (extra brut)

• Dosage: 4 grams/liter

• The grapes: 100% Pinot Noir

• Appellation: Champagne, France

• Disgorged: February 2025

• Lees aging: 8 years

• Wine type: Sparkling Wine

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

Winemaker tasting notes

Nose: “A generous nose blending red and black fruits such as redcurrant and blackberry. After a little time in the glass the wine opens to reveal stone fruits—peach, apricot, and Mirabelle plum—with candied lemon and kumquat, which bring freshness and complexity.”

Palate: “Seductive on the palate, with a beautiful texture and very fine bubbles. It’s opulent and vinous, evolving into dried apricot and acacia honey. On first tasting it’s full of decadent pâtes de fruits and almond, followed by a bright squeeze of blood orange. The finish is long and expressive, with intense notes of dried fig, bringing richness and intensity.”