Champagne Bollinger
PN VZ19
Champagne
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. The fifth edition of the series, PN VZ19, explores the interpretation of Pinot Noir from Verzenay 2019 and features reserve wines dating back to 2009.
VINEYARD
The fruit is predominantly sourced from Verzenay (50% from 2019), characterized by the elegance, tension and salinity of Pinot Noir from this cru. Pinot Noir fruit from Avenay and Tauxières were added to PN VZ19 to add aromatic synergy and complexity.
WINEMAKING
A 100% Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs built on a 2019 base, PN VZ19 blends 52% from 2019 with 48% reserve wines, the oldest dating back to 2009, including more than 20% aged in magnum under cork to deliver the outstanding aromatic intensity that is a hallmark of Bollinger's historic savoir-faire. Partially fermented in oak barrels in the classic Bollinger style, the wine is cellar aged for more than twice the appellation minimum before release, with a dosage of 7 g/L.
VINTAGE
A year of dramatic contrasts, 2019 opened with an unusually warm winter before spring frosts impacted around 1,000 hectares across Champagne, with mild effects on Bollinger's vineyards in Aÿ and Cuis. Rainy conditions through flowering brought mildew pressure, followed by intense summer heat waves peaking at a record 41°C on July 25th. Sunburn and drought further reduced yields, but accelerated ripening beautifully, culminating in a remarkable harvest despite the turbulent season.
TASTING NOTE
Bright gold, with an expressive nose of orchard, red, and exotic fruits in elegant harmony. Supple and silky on the palate with white fruit, citrus, and blood orange, finishing with a lingering saline complexity.
FOOD PAIRING
Lobster, scallops, turbot, light poultry dishes, and soft-ripened cheeses.
Color
White
Blend %
100% Sparkling Blend
Appellation
Champagne
Alcohol
12.5%
Suggested Retail Price
$185.99
Reviews
Wine Spectator - "There's real drive and focus to this harmonious Champagne, with racy acidity enmeshed in the finely detailed, satinlike mousse and enlivening a lovely range of ripe cherry and cassis fruit and Marcona almond flavors, plus a touch of Gran Marnier liqueur. Delicate notes of spices, white blossoms and graphite linger on the finish. Pinot Noir."
Vinous - June 25, 2024 "Another terrific wine in this new range of Champagnes from Bollinger that is now in its fifth release. Exotic floral and spice notes play off a core of Pinot fruit in this captivating, mid-weight offering [...] In this release, the (2019) PN VZ is like a mini-Vieilles Vignes Françaises. It's an incredibly racy, sexy Blanc de Noirs. This release is based on 2019, with 50% reserve wines back to 2009."
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Rosé
Champagne
Bollinger Rosé is a Champagne that quietly breaks the mold. First released in 2008 and made in limited quantities, it begins as Special Cuvée before a small addition of still Pinot Noir brings vibrant red fruit, a touch of tannin and striking depth. Pinot Noir is the heart of Bollinger, making up at least 60% of all wines and shaping the Rosé’s bold yet elegant character. With one-third fermented in oak, aged for up to eight years and blended with reserve wines from magnums, this Rosé offers freshness, complexity and a silk-like texture.
La Côte aux Enfants Champagne
Champagne, France
Established by Jacques Bollinger between 1926 and 1934, La Côte aux Enfants is a steep hillside vineyard located on the outskirts of Aÿ. This unique parcel has been a source of endless fascination, producing some of the most highly prized Pinot Noir in the region. Aware of its potential, it became Champagne Bollinger’s ambition to produce a great vintage Champagne exclusively from this vineyard, with 100% Pinot Noir. The fruit comes from the north-west side of the hill, revealing a particularly refined expression of La Côte aux Enfants vineyard.
"B" Series
Champagne, France
The "B" series is a unique and original creation shaped by nature’s challenges, an illustration of the Maison’s expert know-how when crafting a great vintage Champagne. Born from an atypical year of contrasting weather conditions, these wines are a unique journey of the senses, ethereal and suffused with finesse.
James Bond Limited Edition
Champagne, France
This limited edition cuvée celebrates 2 important milestones. Firstly, it celebrates the historic partnership between Bollinger and Bond. Bollinger has been the exclusive Champagne partner of Bond since 1979, so 2019 marks the 40th anniversary of their relationship. Secondly, it celebrates the release of the upcoming movie, No Time to Die, which will be the 25th movie in the series (and Bollinger’s 15th Bond movie since the start of the partnership).
Vieilles Vignes Françaises
Champagne, France
Vieilles Vignes Françaises is one of Champagne’s most mythical cuvees, produced from miraculously preserved and ungrafted 100% Pinot Noir vines. Phylloxera destroyed the vines of Champagne in the early 20th century, but amazingly enough two of Bollinger’s classified Grands crus plots, Chaudes Terres and Clos St. Jacques, survived and are still grown the traditional way. Madame Lily Bollinger first had this wine produced in 1969 as an anniversary cuvee to commemorate her 70th birthday. Following the wine’s launch in 1974, Vieilles Vignes Françaises promptly became a collectible and a symbol of a bygone era. Over the decades, its uniqueness and scarcity have made it one of the most sought-after and expensive Champagnes.
La Côte aux Enfants
Champagne, France
A stunning and extremely rare, still red wine produced only for the greatest vintages. This wine harmoniously combines 100% Pinot Noir Grand Cru fruit from an exceptional vineyard with traditional Burgundian style winemaking. Historically, Pinot Noirs from Aÿ were the most popular wines of the French court, specifically a favorite of King Henri IV, and La Côte aux Enfants comes from a steep plot just outside of the village. This wine is the purest expression of Pinot Noir, offering a fine, delicate texture in the mouth, and a tautness giving it a beautifully long finish.
La Grande Année Rosé
Champagne, France
Lily Bollinger agreed to a Bollinger rosé under one condition, it had to be extraordinary, and that is how La Grande Année Rosé was born. A blend like no other, the wine is as an extension to the House's prestige cuvée, La Grande Année, as is the subtle marriage between this great vintage Champagne and the addition of red wine from a unique plot, the legendary Côte aux Enfants.
R.D.
Champagne, France
A small revolution in the world of Champagne. In 1967, Bollinger releases R.D. 1952. There is no comparable Champagne on the market at the time. This bold and brilliant Champagne takes the pillars of what makes Champagne Bollinger so unique, and pushes them to their ultimate level. It is, very simply, a masterpiece.
Special Cuvée
Champagne, France
From vineyard to bottling, Special Cuvée sees such an extraordinary level of care and attention, it is difficult to place within the non-vintage or, really, any Champagne category. It is a Champagne that stands apart. Within one bottle, all the complexity of flavor, texture and pleasure that Champagne can offer. Special Cuvée is truly a journey of devotion from Bollinger.
