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.

In the early 20th century, almost all of the vines of Champagne were destroyed by phylloxera - 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.

Bollinger 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 1,416 numbered bottles of Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises 2010 were produced.

Weather: The 2010 harvest was marked by a very cold winter with heavy frost patches. Weather improved in the spring and early summer months with cool and consistent temperatures. However, August and September experienced weather with plenty of storms and humid conditions complicating the ripening process. Vieilles Vignes Françaises were harvested on 15th September.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Aÿ: Chaudes Terres & Clos St-Jacques
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Ageing: 8 years on the lees
Dosage: 4 g/l
Drink: Now to 2030
Production: 1,416 bottles

Tasting Note: A deep golden colour, the wine opens with roasted almonds and is accompanied with honey notes. Plum and peach with tarte tatin caramelised apple notes on the midpalate. Smooth and depthful flavours right through to the finish, which is long producing candied fruit notes.