Bollinger PN VZ16 Champagne

This is the second of the now yearly special releases from Bollinger designed to highlight specific terroir in the context of house style. While this release follows a similar formula to the inaugural release, with the village of Verzenay the focus, each year the team will determine which of their sources performed best and deserve to be singled out. Verzenay grapes constituted 47% of the final blend this time round, compared to 48% last year. The cuvée is made from three different years, with 2016 as the base wine supplemented by wine from 2015 and from reserve magnums of 2006, also from Verzenay.

Other Reviews
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. Drink 2021 - 2037.
94 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Sep 2021)

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. Drink 2021 - 2033.
93 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

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.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com

Produced exclusively from vineyards owned by Bollinger, this takes advantage of the dynamic equilibrium between the structured, robust Pinot Noir grape and a terroir that is late-ripening. Picking began on 25 September and delivered a wine with plenty of concentration and impressive freshness and balance, with expressive green apple fruit accented with notes of toast and smoke and a creamy, supple, and open texture. Dosed at 6 g/l. Disgorged in November 2020. Drinking Window 2021 - 2031.
95 points
Charles Curtis MW - Decanter

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.
94 points
Alison Napjus - Wine Spectator