Bollinger : PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut

The unique expression of Pinot Noir magnified by Bollinger

The estate

Nicknamed “Boll” by those from Champagne or “Bolly” by the English, the timeless and legendary Bollinger Champagne House forms part of a small circle of three great Champagne houses. Bollinger champagne’s style is defined through its remarkable precision, which is brought to every moment of production. With a respect for tradition, riddling done by hand, natural corks for magnum reserve bottles and the last permanent cooper in the region, excellence has symbolised Bollinger champagne culture since its creation in Ay. More than just an art, it is a heritage.

The vineyard

The Bollinger Champagne House stands out for its 174 hectares spread out through seven main vineyards, 85% of which are Grand and Premier Crus, allowing the house to be one of the few which produces its own grapes for its blends. The house’s signature grape variety, Pinot Noir, represents 60% of the vineyard’s total grape varieties.

The wine

Produced from crus which are mostly issued from Verzenay, as well as other villages (Avenay, Tauxieres), the PN cuvee is a unique vision of Pinot Noir. This champagne is the result of research carried out on the taste and different origins of this iconic grape variety during the house’s history. While PN perpetuates the history and uniqueness of the house’s style, each edition is a new and innovative interpretation of the vineyard at and the unique know-how of the Bollinger House.

Winemaking and aging

The PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut by the Bollinger Champagne House is exclusively produced from the Cuvee. The base year is 2016. The dosage is moderate, at 6 grams per liter. The aging time within the house’s cellars is more than twice as long as the time indicated by appellation specifications.

Blend

The PN VZ Blanc de Noirs Brut by the Bollinger Champagne House is a 100% Pinot Noir wine.

Tasting

Color

The wine is adorned with subtle golden highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with intense fruity notes (apple, rhubarb, quince, mirabelle plum). Aromas of hazelnut at aeration give the bouquet a flavorful complexity.

Palate

The creamy effervescence precedes an expressive palate, indulgently mixing exotic, brioche and lightly stewed notes. The persistent finish reveals a beautiful salinity.

Food and wine pairings

The PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut goes perfectly with a thin tomato tartlet, pink Champagne lentils cooked in a risotto style, sweetbread with chestnuts or even cheeses (particularly Langres cheese).

Serving

For an optimal tasting, serve at between 8 and 10°C.

Keeping

The PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut by the Bollinger Champagne House can either be tasted now or kept in the cellar so that its aromatic palette evolves over the years.