Peter Veldsman & Dirkie Christowitz Private Collection
Live Virtual Auction, 15 May 2022
Session 1
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Created in 1829, this wine estate has always pushed its visionary projects. From the beginning, the owners have had a constant desire to grow their estate while extending the influence of the Bollinger brand. The house took an historic turn when Elisabeth Bollinger took charge of the company. At first, she acquired new vines in Aÿ, Mutigny, Grauves and Bisseuil. Furthermore, in 1961 she created the ‘Recently Disgorged’ R.D. style which is a Champagne that has been aged on its lees for longer than usual. Lily, as she is affectionately known, raised the Bollinger brand to its legendary status. History will remember her silhouette crossing the vineyards by bicycle and her famous quote: ‘I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.’
The eternal soul of Champagne
In the early 20th century, the vines of Champagne were destroyed by phylloxera. In order to fight the devastating insect, all vines in Champagne had to be replanted using American rootstock. Everything, except two Bollinger plots in Aÿ classified as Grand cru which remained untouched: Chaudes Terres and Clos St Jacques. To this day, these two plots are grown the traditional way, following the ‘provignage’ method, worked by hand and even sometimes with the help of a horse. Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises is a symbol of a bygone era: an extraordinary and moving legacy.
Provenance
Private Client
Critics Ratings
‘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, Wine Advocate, 95/100 (Dec 2008)
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