Bollinger : PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut

The unique expression of Pinot Noir magnified by Bollinger

The producer

Nicknamed "Boll" by the inhabitants of the Champagne region and "Bolly" by the English, the timeless and legendary Bollinger Champagne House is part of an exclusive group of great Champagne houses. Champagne Bollinger’s style is defined by the exemplary precision brought to each step of the winemaking process. Respecting traditions, riddling the bottles by hand, corking reserve magnum bottles, the last barrel maker in the Champagne region, the drive for excellence symbolises the whole culture of Champagne Bollinger since its creation in Aÿ in 1829. More than just an art, it is a heritage.

The vineyard

The Bollinger Champagne House stands out due to its 174 hectares split into seven main vineyards, 85% of which are Grands Crus and Premiers Crus, enabling the House to be one of the few Champagne Houses to produce its own grapes for its blends. Pinot Noir, the house's signature grape variety, constitutes 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, Tauxières), the PN cuvée 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 in 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 and the unique know-how of the Bollinger House.

The vinification and ageing

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

The blend

PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut of the Champagne House Bollinger is a 100% Pinot Noir.

The tasting

Colour

The wine is adorned with subtle golden highlights.

Nose

The nose opens with intense fruity notes (apple, rhubarb, quince, mirabelle). After aering, aromas of hazelnut give the bouquet a delicious complexity.

Palate

The creamy effervescence precedes an expressive palate, indulgently mixing exotic, brioche and lightly stewed notes. Persistent, the finish reveals beautiful saltiness.

Food and wine pairing

PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut goes perfectly with a thin tomato tart, pink lentils from Champagne cooked in a risotto style, veal sweetbreads with either chestnuts or cheese (Langres).

Service

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

Storage

PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut by the Bollinger Champagne House can either be tasted now or kept in the cellar in order to allow its aromatic palette to evolve over time.