1997 Champagne Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises Blanc de Noirs Brut

This is an ultra-rare, legendary artifact of the wine world: the iconic Vieilles Vignes Françaises (VVF) from Champagne Bollinger, hailing from the 1997 vintage. Widely considered one of the ultimate holy grail bottles for serious private collectors and fine wine experts, VVF is a living piece of viticultural history. It is crafted entirely from rare, pre-phylloxera, ungrafted Pinot Noir vines grown en foule (in a dense, traditional layered system) across tiny, walled vineyard enclosures (clos) in Aÿ. Because these ancient plots must be tended strictly by hand, production is miniscule—often yielding only a few thousand precious bottles globally in selected years—making it the rarest and most physically imposing Blanc de Noirs in existence.

Highlights

• Vintage: 1997

• Region/Appellation: Champagne AOC (Exclusively from ungrafted Grand Cru old vines in Aÿ), Champagne, France

• Producer: Champagne Bollinger

• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir (Blanc de Noirs)

• Style: Fully Mature, Profoundly Rich, and Exceptionally Rare Prestige Brut Champagne

• Perfect for (food pairing): A top-tier presentation of premium sturgeon caviar, pan-seared sea scallops with fresh black truffle shaving, butter-poached rock lobster or marron, or pan-fried John Dory. Its massive vinous depth and savory complexity also make it a magnificent companion for crispy-skinned roasted duck breast, slow-cooked pork belly with perfect crackling, roasted squab, truffled wild mushroom risottos, or a plate of premium hard cheeses like a long-aged vintage Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.