Bollinger, PN, VZ16,

The NV Blanc de Noirs PN VZ16 Brut is made from 100% Pinot Noir, mainly from Verzenay and based around the 2016 vintage, with the oldest wine in the blend being from 2006. It was disgorged in January 2021 and has 6 g/L dosage. Pale lemon colored with a twinkle of gold, it offers up vibrant notes of apple pie, honeycomb, orange blossoms, and lemon meringue pie with gentle wafts of praline, raspberry leaves, and creme caramel. The palate is packed with energetic citrus and apple layers with a fine mousse and lively backbone, finishing long and perfumed.

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. Dosage is 6 grams per liter. (Originally published in May 2021)