Champagne Bollinger
PN VZ16
Champagne, France
PN, made entirely from Pinot Noir to underscore the very essence and DNA of the House style, is the first new cuvée added to Bollinger’s permanent range since rosé in 2008. Each release of PN, developed as a series to bring Bollinger’s unique vision of Pinot Noir to light, will showcase a different cru from the base year that highlights its distinctive terroir and taste. The second edition of the series, PN VZ16, explores the interpretation of Pinot Noir from Verzenay 2016 and features reserve wines dating back to 2006.
Vineyard
The fruit is predominantly sourced from Verzenay (50% from 2016), characterized by the elegance, tension and salinity of Pinot Noir from this cru. Pinot Noir fruit from Avenay and Tauxières were added to PN VZ16 to add aromatic synergy and complexity.
Winemaking
Cellar aged for more than twice the time required by the appellation. The addition of about 20% reserve wines add to the wine’s exceptional aromatic intensity, especially the Pinots Noirs aged in magnums for almost 10 years.
Dosage: 7 g/L
Vintage
While PN is a non-vintage, 50% of the fruit comes from 2016. 2016 was particularly favorable to Pinots Noirs form the Montagne de Reims, in particular at the Verzenay vineyard. The grapes’ natural maturity was 10.6 degrees there, whereas the average in Champagne settled at 9.8, thus giving the wine generosity and delicacy. The reserve wines contribute to the wine’s exceptional aromatic intensity, especially the Pinots Noirs aged in magnums for almost 10 years.
Tasting Note
In the glass, this VZ16 edition opens with fruity notes of apple, rhubarb, quince and mirabelle plum. The rich, complex nose then develops towards hazelnut aromas. On the palate, a wonderful creamy effervescence yields to a delectable and expressive quality. Exotic flavours, with brioche and hints of stewed fruit, precede a saline finish. PN VZ16 is a wine to be enjoyed by enthusiasts interested in the expression of Pinot Noir from across the Champagne region.
Food Pairing
The structure and salinity of PN VZ16 makes it an outstanding Champagne to enjoy as part of a gastronomic experience. Quite versatile, the wine shines with a variety of dishes from a simple tomato tartlet, to a rich risotto with lentils and even veal sweetbreads with chestnuts. Of course, we also enjoy a glass PN VZ16 with aged cheeses.
Color
White
Grape Varieties
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Champagne, France
Farming
Champagne Bollinger supports sustainable wine growing by grassing over the ground, using biological pest control, reducing the use of herbicides, recycling pruning waste, and planting hedges and orchards to encourage biodiversity. The Côte aux Enfants vineyard is managed organically.
Alcohol
12%
Suggested Retail Price
$130
Reviews
"Soft, open-knit and wonderfully inviting"
Vinous - June 10, 2021
"Soft, open-knit and wonderfully inviting PN VZ 16 is a worthy follow up to the sublime 2015 that launched this new Blanc de Noirs in the Bollinger range last year. Sweet red cherry, Mirabelle, spice, mint and dried flowers all grace this wonderfully translucent, expressive Blanc de Noirs. North-facing sites in Verzenay that confer tension and energy make up about half the blend, with wines from Aÿ, Bouzy and Louvois playing supporting roles. Vinification is done in equal parts steel and oak. This release is based on 2016 (50% of the blend), with reserve wines that go back to 2006, including 23% from reserve magnums. Readers who enjoy Blanc de Noirs will adore the PN VZ 16. I find the interplay of vibrancy and the creamier notes that are so typical of the house style to be incredibly appealing." - A.G.
"Impressive freshness and balance"
Decanter - June 30, 2021
"Produced exclusively from vineyards owned by Bollinger, this takes advantage of the dynamic equilibrium between the structured, robust Pinot Noir grape and a terroir that is late-ripening. Picking began on 25 September and delivered a wine with plenty of concentration and impressive freshness and balance, with expressive green apple fruit accented with notes of toast and smoke and a creamy, supple, and open texture. Dosed at 6 g/l. Disgorged in November 2020." - C.C.
"Seamlessly knit and graceful"
Wine Spectator - August 5, 2021
"Seamlessly knit and graceful, offering a lovely range of ripe cherry and nectarine fruit, with notes of slivered almond, orange blossom and fleur de sel slowly expanding on the palate via the finely detailed mousse and carried through the long, lacy finish by fine chalklike acidity. Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2021." - A.N.
"Muscular...rich berry-fruit component"
Wine & Spirits - January 19, 2022
"This second release, the 2016 PN VZ, is, once again, based on fruit from Verzenay—all pinot noir, including the reserve wines. It’s as muscular as Bollinger’s classic vintage wines but with a rich berry-fruit component to fill it with ripeness. There’s a ghosting of red-wine tannins in the cinnamon and red-apple-skin flavors that last with focus and precision." J.G.
"Ripe strawberry, orange peel"
James Suckling - July 25, 2022
"Lots of strawberry pie with hints of cream and vanilla, yet it’s subtle and fascinating. Medium-bodied with alluring ripe strawberry and citrus, such as orange peel. It turns dry at the end, but still fruity in the center palate. This is a pure pinot noir from vineyards in Ay." - J.S 8/23
"Wonderful savory appeal"
Jeb Dunnuck - November 8, 2022
"The NV Champagne Blanc de Noirs PN VZ16 Brut is entirely Pinot Noir, predominantly from the village of Verzenay. It is based on the warm 2016 vintage but does includes several vintages of reserve wine. The nose is smoky, with rich Pinot Noir character and wonderful savory appeal. It is broad, dry, and balanced throughout, it offers ripe, concentrated notes of saline broth, plum, and toasted almond." - A.F 11/22
More on Champagne Bollinger PN VZ16
New release first taste: Bollinger PN VZ16
July 1, 2021 - Decanter awarded Bollinger PN VZ16 a 95pt score and published a feature introducing the second release of Bollinger’s new cuvée PN, which stands for Pinot Noir. The release "has been…
Champagne Countdown: Rich Berry Ripeness
December 29, 2021 - Wine & Spirits Editor-in-Chief Josh Greene featured Champagne Bollinger PN VZ16 as the publication's wine of the week - suitably timed for the festive week between Christmas and New Year's…
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