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| Community Tasting Notes (average 97 pts. and median of 97 pts. in 7 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | Tasted by kmforster on 12/31/2023 & rated 97 points: Lovely persistence on the back end. Showed its age a bit more than expected but still quite lively. Nose a bit reticent. (199 views) | | Tasted by hprphf on 2/8/2019 & rated 97 points: Blue and red fruit, citrus, orange, caramel, brioche, sherry, smoke and flower. So nuanced, delicate and elegant, with just amazing balance and precision. 97 (2715 views) | | Tasted by KeyMaster on 12/31/2011 & rated 97 points: Réveillon du jour de l'an 2011 (St-Nicolas, Québec): Amazing! Amber like color, nose of coing, brioche, very special. (7184 views) | | Tasted by Russell Faulkner on 9/26/2011: Quite burly, if regal, certainly classy with plenty of deep red fruits. (6500 views) | | Tasted by psmith on 2/24/2007: Some Champagnes and a few reds (Columbus, OH): Floral with blue fruits. Deep and deliciously rich and nuanced, lots of Pinot character. Well balanced mousse. (8088 views) | | Tasted by AndrewSGHall on 8/12/2006: (Took to Degustation, NYC) Light bronzey tinge with delicate mousse. Lacey and delicate nose with slight sweet sherry notes, brioche and sea shore. Slight sherry upfront - very tasty and enjoyable sherry - which quickly faded on the palate. Lovely texture and mineral w/ a little grip. Some dried fruit and caramel notes on the finish. Just gorgeous and incredible with loads of persistence and character. Perfect with small plates, especially quail egg tortilla, croquettes, slow egg and roast beef w/ foie. (7322 views) | | Tasted by psmith on 12/10/2005: Dinner with Friends (Columbus, OH): Bold and full bodied – keeps with the Bollinger style. Some yeasty freshly baked blueberry muffin and unusual, but really nice, darker berry and plum notes superimposed on the expected baking apples and the like. Expansive, complex, and very different. Still young, plenty of acid to balance but a lower acid Champagne overall. Creamy and nutty. Really good. ****/5 (6519 views) |
| The World of Fine Wine, March 2015, Issue #47 (Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Brad Baker Champagne Warrior, July 2009, Issue #3, Legendary Cuvées of Champagne : Krug's Clos du Mesnil and Bollinger's Vieilles Vignes Françaises (Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Kapon Vintage Tastings, La Paulee 2009, Part III (3/7/2009) (Bollinger V.V.F.) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Gilman View From the Cellar, May/Jun 2007, Issue #9, Recently Tasted Champagne and Sparkling Wine (Bollinger la Française “Cuvée Vieilles Vignes”) Login and sign up and see review text. | NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of The World of Fine Wine and Champagne Warrior and Vintage Tastings and View From the Cellar. (manage subscription channels) |
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U.S. Importer (add'l info)Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia) Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina". Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins. The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled. In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting. Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy. Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid. As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries. A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced. In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid. If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest" 2019 vintage reports 2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage." 2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comChampagne Le Champagne (Le comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne) | Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne (Union des Maisons de Champagne)
France - When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of consistent quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France. Sub-Region:
Champagne - The French region of Champagne (including the cities of Rheims, Épernay, and Aÿ) was the first region in the world to make sparkling wine in any quantity. Today, the name of the region is synonymous with the finest of all sparkling wines, and wine-making traditions of Champagne have become role models for sparkling wine producers, worldwide. Surprisingly, the region of Champagne is now responsible for only one bottle in 12 of all sparkling wine produced. Styles of champagne range in sweetness ranging from an extra brut or brut 0, to the basic brut to demi sec to doux; some houses produce single vintage champagnes and others produce non-vintage (or incorporate wines/grapes of multiple vintages), often to preserve a specific taste; combinations of grape varietals; and colors, including a rosé. There are several sub-appellations, including the Valley of the Marnes river running from Épernay west, Massif de Saint-Thierry north and west of Rheims, Valley of the Ardre, the Mountains of Rheims (between Rheims and Épernay), Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, and Côte des Bar in the South. Champagne wine only uses three grape varietals (cépages): Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.ChampagneThe vineyards of Champagne on weinlagen-info |
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