The Champagne region was initially known for its red wines, and as the preferred wines of Henry IV, Pinot Noirs from Aÿ were a favourite of the French Court. La Côte aux Enfants is made from grapes grown on a steep plot on the outskirts of Aÿ. At the beginning of the 20th Century, Jacques Bollinger gradually reconstructed the vineyard, which had previously been owned by more than 50 landowners! Bollinger has been the sole proprietor of this 4ha lieu-dit ever since.

The wine atlas of France by Louis Larmat, published in 1944, lists the place as "Côte aux enfers" (replacing the world "children" with "hell"). It is said that women who were tasked with carrying heavy baskets up the slope containing the earth washed away by storms gave it this name... Others say that the plot was situated on such a steep slope that it took the agility and flexibility of children to harvest the grapes. No one knows the real truth behind this strange name.

Made from 100% Pinot Noir in the Burgundian style, La Côte aux Enfants is aged in small oak barrels with one third of the grapes undergoing whole-bunch fermentation. It is only produced in the finest vintages when the maturation of the grapes is considered exceptional.

2019 Vintage

Although the 2019 vintage in Champagne wasn’t without its issues, the results proved to be hugely successful with many high-quality wines produced. Mild conditions in Winter and early Spring allowed for the development of powdery mildew which affected some vines. Severe frosts in April also dramatically reduced yields. Fortunately, temperatures started to raise by mid-June, which put a stop to rot and disease.

The rest of the summer saw a heatwave, which helped bring concentration and richness but also resulted in scalding for 10% of the expected harvest. Luckily the nights were cool enough to help the grapes retain their freshness and acidity.

Yields were certainly smaller than usual but the grapes that survived the growing season were inclined to be very ripe whilst also keeping their aromatic character. This was of particular benefit to La Côte aux Enfants, allowing for a beautifully balanced wine to be produced that perfectly combines richness and freshness.

“The 2019 Coteaux Champenois La Côte aux Enfants is fabulous. Rich, ample and seductive, the 2019 is captivating right out of the gate. Succulent dark cherry, plum, new leather, spice, pomegranate and spice infuse the palate with tremendous depth. The 2019 exudes textural richness and intensity in all of its dimensions. Silky, polished contours wrap it all together in style. Since 2015, this cuvée has had some stem inclusion – 33% in 2019.”

97 points Antonio Galloni, Vinous March 2024

Shipping in September/October 2026