Bollinger : PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut

The unique expression of Pinot Noir presented by Bollinger

The estate

Nicknamed “Boll” by those from Champagne and “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 Aÿ. More than just an art, it is a heritage.

The vineyard

Bollinger's uniqueness comes from its 174 hectares divided into seven main vineyards in Champagne, 85% of which are Grands Crus and Premiers Crus, making the house one of the few to produce its own grapes for its blends. Pinot Noir is the house's signature grape variety and represents 60% of the vineyard's vines.

The wine

Produced from crus mostly in 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 continues 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.

Winemaking and ageing

This Bollinger Blanc de Noirs champagne 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’s charter.

Blend

Pinot Noir (100%).

Characteristics and tasting tips for PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut from Bollinger

Tasting

Colour
The colour is adorned with subtle golden highlights.

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

Palate
The creamy effervescence precedes an expressive palate, indulgently mixing exotic, brioche and lightly stewed notes. The finish is long-lasting with a nice salinity.

Food and wine pairing

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

To serve

For the best tasting, serve between 8 and 10°C.

Storage

PN VZ 16 Blanc de Noirs Brut by the Bollinger Champagne House can be enjoyed now or laid down to allow its aromatic palette to evolve over time.