Ø Characteristics of the 1996 harvest

A cold and dry winter with scarce frosts was followed in mid-April by budding in hot weather. The lack of rain coupled with high spring temperatures recalled the vintage of 1976. The flowering of the Chardonnay was a little difficult and this variety suffered from millerandage (partial crop failure and mixed berry size). The summer was hot until mid-August, then rain followed. September was also capricious, with very cold night temperatures.

The harvest started under very good conditions, from September 16th. The average yield was 10,300 kg per hectare. The composition of the musts was absolutely exceptional, as it is rare to obtain both sugar richness (more than 10% potential alcohol) and such high total acidity (10g/l). The Champenois look at the wines of 1996 as Champagnes of long ageing capacity.

Ø Origin of the grapes

Vieilles Vignes Françaises is produced from grapes from three parcels of grand cru vineyards in Ay and Bouzy that, among them, total under one-and-a-half acres.  These were unaffected by phylloxera and continue to be planted en foule, in the historic, layered, self-propagating method:

Chaudes Terres, in Aÿ, 24 ares

Clos St Jacques, in Aÿ, 21 ares

Croix Rouge in Bouzy, 13 ares

Vieilles Vignes Françaises is 100% Pinot Noir

Ø Vinification of Vieilles Vignes Françaises 1996

Vieilles Vignes Françaises was produced exclusively from the cuvée (first grape pressing).

The grape juice underwent first fermentation in oak barrels of 205 liters so that each lot could be individually monitored. Only old barrels were used, to ensure that neither tannin nor oak flavors are imparted to the wine. This technique increases both aromatic complexity and the ageing capacity of great wines.

Ø Vieilles Vignes Françaises was aged a minimum of five years, under natural cork

The wine was bottled for second fermentation and ageing using real cork stoppers, which ensure a better barrier against oxidation than crown caps for wines aged over four years. Using cork stoppers, quite rare today in Champagne, increases both the aromatic complexity and the ageing capacity of great wines.

Ø Dosage

The dosage is light in order to maintain the aromatic balance (7-9 grams of sugar per liter).

Ø Rest after disgorging

After disgorgement by hand and its dosage, Vieilles Vignes Françaises rested at least three months in the cellars prior to shipment. This is the necessary time for the wine to assimilate the liqueur d’expédition (dosage) and recover from the shock of disgorgement.

The total production of the 1996 vintage was 2,600 bottles, each numbered.