2007 Bollinger Champagne Vieilles Vignes Francaises

(disgorged October 2017; 3,132 bottles produced, 12%). The pinot-based fruit underlying this wine is in evidence because there is an abundance of citrus, baked bread and floral characters that include rose and acacia blossom scents on the utterly transfixing nose, there are also background wisps of various red berry nuances. There is a wonderful and beguiling texture to strikingly complex, intense and vibrant flavors that possess a highly refined mouth feel thanks to the ultra-fine bead of the supporting mousse that shapes the focused and gorgeously long finale that is agreeably dry but not really austere. I was knocked out not only but the texture but also the imposing depth and while these two elements render the '07 VVF approachable, it's clear that this should generously repay extended keeping. In short, this is a genuinely great effort. 97/2022+ .