Champagne Bollinger

PN AYC18

Champagne, France

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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.

VINEYARD

The fruit is predominantly sourced from Aÿ (53% from 2018), a grand cru village yielding wines that are ripe and succulent. Pinot Noir fruit from Tauxières and Verzenay were added to PN AYC18 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 at least 7 years.
Dosage: 6 g/L

VINTAGE

While PN is a non-vintage, 53% of the fruit comes from 2018. Therefore, the different reserve wines (aged in vats, or in reserve magnums for the oldest examples) make up 47% of the blend. The oldest wine in the blend of PN AYC18 comes from the 2009 vintage.

TASTING NOTE

Notes of honey, fruit jellies , quince and candied citrus. Aromas of marzipan and blood orange compliment a nose full of sweet spices and a refreshing hint of menthol. Serious, understated and rich, beautifully expansive with a finish full of confit citrus which enhances the wine’s freshness.

Food Pairing

Tomme des Ardennes cheese, millefeuille, tonka bean-infused chutney. Roast quail, dried apricots and honey-lemon sauce. Chaource cheese

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

12.5%

Suggested Retail Price

$170

Reviews

"Sizzles with energy"

Vinous - July 5, 2023

"Tense and vibrant, with notable saline intensity, the AYC (based on Aÿ) sizzles with energy. Dried pear, crushed flowers, mint, sage, chalk and light pastry notes all race across the palate. This release is 53% 2018 and 47% reserve wines, a big part of which are Bollinger’s famous reserve magnums (in this case 2009 Verzenay Pinot), plus dollops of 2017 and 2016 wines. The 2018 was done in equal parts oak and tank. Dosage is 6 grams per liter, but the impression is of a slightly drier style. The combination of a very warm base vintage blended with a high proportion of reserve wines yields a Champagne of notable complexity and texture. " - A.G. 6/2023

"Dried flowers"

Wine Spectator - September 13, 2023

"Mouthwatering and finely meshed, with density to the satiny texture, this marries bright acidity with flavors of ripe white cherry, biscuit, pickled ginger and candied grapefruit peel. Opens slowly on the palate, revealing layers of fragrant spices, mineral and dried flowers on the finish." - A.N. 8/23

"Freshly baked bread and dried white flowers"

Wine Advocate - December 15, 2023

"Based on the 2018 vintage, complemented by reserve wines aged in magnum dating back to 2009, Bollinger's newly released NV Brut Blanc de Noirs PN AYC18 was disgorged this year with six grams per liter dosage. Foregrounding the village of Aÿ, a commune crucial to Bollinger's distinctive style, the wine wafts from the glass with aromas of golden orchard fruit, honeycomb, buttered toast, freshly baked bread and dried white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and vinous, with an ample core of fruit that's girdled by lively acids and animated by an elegant pinpoint mousse, this suave, charming Champagne concludes with a chalky finish. This has turned out beautifully." - W.K. 12/23

More on Champagne Bollinger PN AYC18

MarketWatch on Bollinger

January 19, 2024 - The story, titled “Ready for New Year’s Eve? 6 sparkling wines to toast 2024 — including an alcohol-free sip” features Bollinger’s PN AYC18, noting “The bottle is described as a…

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