Very deep and youthful nose with a cornucopia of candied citrus and red berries, as well as a touch of herb. Stunning depth of chalky character and fantastic mineral freshness make this really stand out. Dramatic, yet so elegant at the very long finish. 100% pinot noir, of which 50% is from Verzenay and that gives it it’s name. The reserve wines are all Verzenays from 2006, 2009 and 2015. Disgorged January 2021. Drink or hold.
Bollinger is famed for its Pinot Noir vineyards and this single-vineyard Champagne from the Grand Cru village of Verzenay is proof. It is intense, rich with mature fruits and the typical house style of toast mingled with almond. Drink this wine now.
TWI
95pts
The Wine Independent
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.
Disgorged in January 2021, Bollinger's newly released NV Brut Blanc de Noirs PN VZ16 offers up notions of pear, apple blossom, jasmine, orange zest and fresh pastry. Medium to full-bodied, precise and elegantly vinous, it's layered and charming, with racy acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse, and it concludes with a sapid finish. It's based on the 2016 vintage, complemented by older reserve wines matured in magnum, and derives, once again, largely from the village of Verzenay.
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 chinalike acidity. Pinot Noir. Disgorged January 2021. Drink now through 2026. 350 cases imported.
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)
Subtle nuances of maturity are present on the yeasty/toasty aromas of ripe citrus, cherry and pretty rose petal wisps. There is excellent complexity to the rich and relatively full-bodied flavors that are quite supple and forward while delivering a satisfying finish. This is not especially vibrant as the mousse is calm, even subtle, yet there is enough vibrancy to engage the palate. Overall, this full-flavored effort's biggest plus is the excellent complexity and while this could be cellared further, for my taste it is ready to go.
Delicate aromas of spiced baked apples, pear, quince, a touch of raspberry and notes of brioche and biscuits. Excellent fine mousse, dry and refreshing. Nominated by Yohan Castaing.
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. Drink 2022-2032. Disgorged January of 2021.
Winery Notes
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.
1.5Ltr
