One of the rarest Champagnes produced, Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises is crafted entirely from ungrafted Pinot Noir grown in two tiny, pre-phylloxera vineyard parcels in Aÿ: Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres.  A living link to Champagne's past, these historic vines survived the devastation of phylloxera thanks to their unique location and are still propagated by traditional layering (provignage). Produced only in exceptional vintages and in minute quantities, the wine is fermented entirely in old oak barrels before extended ageing in Bollinger's cellars, resulting in one of the world's most profound Blanc de Noirs.

"The 1999 Vieilles Vignes Françaises 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."  Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com, Dec 2008