2019 Bollinger Coteaux Champenois “La Côte aux Enfants”, Chamapagne, France

ABOUT THE WINE

This wine harmoniously combines 100% Pinot Noir Grand Cru fruit from an exceptional vineyard with traditional Burgundian style winemaking. The 2019 Champagne vintage faced significant challenges, including early spring frosts, a wet May, and a hot summer with mildew and sunburn risks. A warm spring led to widespread mildew, followed by a damaging frost in April. The summer brought heat spikes and August hailstorms, particularly affecting the Côte des Blancs, leading to reduced yields. Despite these obstacles, the surviving grapes were beautifully ripe, with good acidity and aromatic character, making 2019 a standout vintage with great aging potential. 

The vinification of La Côte aux Enfants 2019 follows traditional Burgundian methods with one-third of the grapes vinified as whole clusters. A slow, progressive cold maceration precedes fermentation, followed by aging in small oak barrels that give the wine its complexity and aromatic depth.

ABOUT THE PRODUCER

Founded in 1829 by Jacques Joseph Bollinger, the Comte de Villermont and Paul Renaudin, this Champagne House remains one of the last independent family estates in the region. Located in Aÿ in the Marne valley, Bollinger is now led by Charles-Armand de Belenet under the ownership of the Bizot family. The House is distinguished by its traditional methods, notably aging in oak barrels and malolactic fermentation. Its vineyard includes prestigious plots such as "La Côte aux Enfants" as a monopole, demonstrating its excellence in crafting exceptional champagnes.