Bollinger PN VZ 19 Champagne

Product Description: 

A Fresh Vision of Pinot Noir - The Bollinger PN VZ19 Champagne is a brilliant interpretation of the House’s renowned Pinot Noir, showcasing the elegance and complexity that this grape varietal brings to the world of Champagne. With the 2019 base year and a primary focus on the Grand Cru of Verzenay, this Blanc de Noirs cuvée emphasizes the unique characteristics of the terroir. The result is a refined, fresh, and complex expression of Pinot Noir that offers a modern and sophisticated take on Bollinger’s legacy.

This cuvée represents the union of tradition and innovation, with each release of Bollinger’s PN series acting as a tribute to the House’s history and expertise. With its moderate dosage of 6 grams per liter and an extended maturation period far surpassing the AOC requirements, PN VZ19 offers a wine that not only respects its heritage but also pushes the boundaries of Champagne-making. 

Maker:

Since 1829, Champagne Bollinger has been making great wines with a powerful, refined and complex style, expressing the aromas of the fruit in all its dimensions. This truly unique taste is the result of a particular affinity for the elegance of pinot noir, uncompromising excellence, an exceptional vineyard and traditional craftsmanship handed down through the generations with the utmost care since 1829.

The story begins with Athanase de Villermont, who inherited a vast estate from his family on the outskirts of Aÿ. He instantly sensed the extraordinary potential of the wines of Champagne, but as a member of the aristocracy, he was forbidden from taking part in any commercial activity. Then he met Joseph “Jacques” Bollinger, who specialised in selling the wines of Champagne, and Paul Renaudin, a born-and-bred Champenois fascinated by the world of wine. On 6 February 1829, the company Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie was founded. Joseph was in charge of sales, while Paul oversaw the cellar. Athanase had founded a Champagne house that would transcend centuries.

Through turbulent times including the phylloxera crisis throughout Europe's vineyards and World War I, Georges Bollinger, son of founder Jacques, steered the house with resilience and dedication. His son, Jacques Bollinger, continued the legacy, expanding the estate and modernising facilities while upholding Bollinger's exacting standards. After Jacques' passing, Madame Bollinger, known for her business acumen and global ambassadorship, navigated the post-war recovery and succession planning until 1971, ensuring the house thrived. Successive leaders like Claude d'Hautefeuille (appointed chairman from 1971) and Christian Bizot (1978) upheld Bollinger's legacy, with Ghislain de Montgolfier (1994) and Jérôme Philipon (2008) furthering its global stature and quality standards into the modern era. Since 2017, Charles-Armand de Belenet became Chief Executive Officer of Champagne Bollinger, embracing both tradition and innovation, maintaining its prestigious position in the Champagne world while fostering continued growth and excellence.

Philosophy:

Over the years, Bollinger has built its vineyards at the heart of the finest crus in Champagne. Champagne Bollinger’s 180 hectares of vines are made up of 85% Grand and Premier crus and are farmed by our teams of growers across 7 separate vineyards: Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois and Verzenay for pinot noir, around the Montagne de Reims, Cuis for chardonnay on the Côte des Blancs and Champvoisy for meunier in the Vallée de la Marne. Another of Bollinger’s distinctive features are two plots, the Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which have never succumbed to phylloxera. These ungrafted vines are entirely tended by hand and reproduced using a form of layering called provignage, thereby providing the means to preserve this extraordinary heritage from which the very exclusive Vieilles Vignes Françaises cuvée is produced. 

With regards to sustainability. In 2012, Champagne Bollinger was the first wine house in France whose vineyards were certified as ‘High Environmental Value’ (HEV). Two years later, it was also the first to receive the Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification. These prestigious labels assure the highest standards in environmental practice. Herbicides have also been banned on our vineyards since 2016. Each and every day, the managers of Bollinger vineyards use natural techniques to limit the pressure on the soil. These include the establishment of cover crops, mulching and environmentally-friendly grazing. In addition to sustainability Champagne Bollinger is proud to have B Corp certification, maintaining its ongoing commitment to the Land but also to its people, and to its Bollinger's illustrious legacy.

On the subject of legacy and preservation Bollinger is home to the last resident cooper of the Champagne region. Cooperage is a highly skilled craft: each one of Bollinger’s 4,000 aged barrels, of which some are nearly 100 years old, requires great attention. Learning to maintain this legacy in perfect condition requires rigorous training, which is why cooperage is a craft that must be passed on to younger generations. Bollinger attaches great importance to preserving this valuable expertise.

Tasting Notes

Nose
Expressive, Fruity, Harmonious
An aromatic symphony of orchard fruits, followed by enticing red and exotic fruit notes. The delicate yet expressive fragrance is both complex and ethereal.

Palate
Vibrant, Silky, Elegant
The fruitiness from the nose is complemented by fresh Granny Smith apple acidity, mingled with the fleshy sweetness of vine peach and the vibrant tang of blood orange. The texture is smooth and silky, with a subtle touch of salinity, adding depth and complexity.

Finish
Complex, Saline, Lingering
The finish is long and satisfying, with the wine’s inherent tension and mineral character leaving a lasting impression, offering a final flourish of complexity. 

The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%