x
  • Country ranking ?

    200
  • Producer ranking ?

    3
  • Decanting time

    15min
  • When to drink

    now to 2040
  • Food Pairing

Food Pairing

salmon and avocado blinis

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

Close

The Story

Destroyed at the dawn of the 20th century by the infamous phylloxera vastatrix, all the Champagne region’s vines had to be replanted with American rootstocks that were resistant to the destructive insect.

All of them? Not quite... In Aÿ, two Bollinger plots classified Grand cru, the “Chaudes Terres” and “Clos St Jacques”, were miraculously spared by the phylloxera. From these vines cultivated using traditional methods, planted “en foule” (w...

Close

Wine Information

The 2012 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Françaises (V.V.F.) is an exceptionally rare, legendary Blanc de Noirs sourced from the estate's tiny, ungrafted pre-phylloxera Pinot Noir vines grown en foule in Aÿ (Chaudes Terres and Clos St-Jacques). Coming from an extraordinary, benchmark Champagne vintage characterized by low yields, perfect late-summer ripening, and striking natural acidity, this 100% Pinot Noir cuvée was 100% vinified in mature oak ca...

Close

Vintage 2012

The next most exceptional vintage since 2008. A truly difficult growing season saw severe frosts in the winter. March brought warmth but early budbreak made the vines vulnerable to spring frosts. Overall, the early growing season was wet, and mildew became a serious issue. However, conditions improved dramatically in the later summer months. An August heatwave resulted in a rapid accumulation of sugar, but fortunately the nights remained cool,...

Close

Average Bottle Price

2026
1 450€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Latest Pro-tasting notes

<10 tasting notes

Tasting note

Be the first one to make a 20s tasting note!

Written Notes

One of the most elusive and celebrated wines on Earth, VVF is crafted from ungrafted, pre-phylloxera Pinot Noir vines grown en foule in tiny, walled plots in Aÿ. Vinified in oak barrels and aged for a decade under natural cork, this 2012 release represents the absolute zenith of power, concentration, and Pinot Noir majesty.

The nose is monumental, multidimensional, and breath-takingly intense, exploding with black cherry, dried fig, candied citrus peel, and quince paste, seamlessly interwoven with dark cocoa, toasted brioche, white truffle, roasted coffee bean, and a deep, grounding chalk minerality. On the palate, the wine possesses extraordinary physical presence, vinous weight, and textural grip. A velvety, micro-fine mousse carries an incredible density of dark fruit, warm pastry, and umami, yet the entire structure is effortlessly lifted by the razor-sharp, energetic beam of 2012 acidity. It finishes with virtually endless length, bone-dry, salivary, and deeply mineral, echoing for minutes on notes of toasted almond, dried orange peel, and pure saline chalkiness.


  • 98p

A mythical, monumentally rare Champagne that represents the absolute pinnacle of Pinot Noir. Sourced exclusively from two tiny, ungrafted, pre-phylloxera plots in Aÿ (Chaudes Terres and Clos St-Jacques) cultivated en foule and worked entirely by hand, Vieilles Vignes Françaises offers an unadulterated, historical glimpse into Champagne's pure past. In the landmark 2012 vintage, vinified entirely in aged oak barrels with extended lees aging under natural cork, this cuvée achieves absolute perfection.


The bouquet is intoxicating, hyper-concentrated, and deeply complex, opening with aromas of dried red berries, dark cherry, blood orange marmalade, and roasted fig, interlaced with profound autolytic nuances of black truffle, warm brioche, gingerbread, toasted hazelnut, and dark cocoa. On the palate, the wine possesses extraordinary breadth, weight, and vinous intensity. The entry is broad and muscular, yet carried with effortless weightlessness by an ultra-fine, velvety mousse and a vibrant, mineral-laden acid spine. The finish is practically immortal, lingering for minutes with an incredible saline intensity, crushed chalk minerality, and subtle wood spice. A majestic, transcendent Champagne that stands as one of the ultimate expressions of wine on Earth.


  • 98p

“This impressive vintage of Vieilles Vignes Françaises greets you with an utterly sophisticated nose of magnificent toasty layers. Toasted bread and grilled almonds meet smoky woody nuances. The nose is beautifully reductively charged and elegantly spicy with sumptuous, sweet orchard fruit and dried fruits in layers. A fine woody note from oak lines the voluminous and concentrated palate. Rich yes, but heavy no, the juicy freshness just goes on and on. A stunningly deep and no doubt remarkably age-worthy vintage of this iconic champagne. Dosage 4 g/l. Bottle number 0007 tasted of 2193 produced. ” 97-99

  • 99p

Unique flavors for a Champagne with dried fruits, Turkish delight and pate de fruit. Hazelnuts and sweet almonds. Medium-bodied with tiny bubbles. Flowers, chamomile, mineral, and dried tea. 2,300 bottles made from two parcels of pinot noir, Les Chaudes Terres and Clos St Jacques, next to the winery and growing on their on roots. Drink now.

  • 98p
Load more notes

Information

Origin

Ay, Champagne

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Very Good

Fake factory

Be Cautious

Other wines from this producer

B13 Blanc de Noirs

Bollinger Collection

Bollinger Special Cuvée

Coteaux Champenois La Côte aux Enfants

La Côte aux Enfants

La Grande Année

La Grande Année rosé

PN AYC18

PN TX 17

PN VZ15

PNVZ16

PNVZ19

R.D. Bollinger

RD Collection

Rosé

Special Cuvée

Verzenay Réserve

Vieilles Vignes Francaises Collection

Vins Clairs Cramant Vinifié en Fût

Vintage Champagne

Incorrect Information
If you found some information that is wrong, let us know
Are you sure you want do delete this wine? All information will be lost.
Are you sure you want to recommend this wine?
Are you sure you want hide this written note ?
Are you sure you want show this written note ?
UPGRADE MEMBER PLAN
Upgrade your membership now, it's quick and easy. We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards. Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal. You can cancel your membership at any time.
Thank you for your support!
 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

User

 

Insight Member

 

HOW TO USE TASTINGBOOK?

We recommend you to share few minutes for watching the following video instructions of how to use the Tastingbook. This can provide you a comprehensive understanding of all the features you can find from this unique service platform.

This video will help you get started



Taste wines with the Tastingbook


Create Your wine cellar on 'My Wines'



Explore Your tasted wines library



Administrate Your wine world in Your Profile



Type a message ...
Register to Tastingbook
Sign up now, it's quick and easy.
We use PayPal, the world's largest payment system, it accepts all credit cards.
Once you've chosen your membership level, you'll go directly to PayPal, where you can sign up for a free 7-day trial period. You can cancel your membership at any time. We wish you a rewarding journey to the world of Fine Wines.

Free 7 days Member trial

 

Member

 

Pro Member

 

Winemerchant Member

 

Winery Member

 

Insight Member

Please accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Please select a member plan.
  Register