Pinot noir has long been at the heart of Bollinger’s magnificently rich and generous house style. Creating a cuvée to shine the spotlight on this grape variety therefore seemed a logical step. Their ‘PN’ series explores the nuances of pinot's expression in different origins across Champagne, giving us a snapshot into specific terroirs in this region so famous for blending.
Having recently tasted a vertical of Bollinger’s PN series, I am excited to say that I believe this fifth and latest release is the best yet and I am delighted to give members the chance to buy now ahead of delivery in the autumn.
Order by midday on Monday 19th August
As with the inaugural PN (based on the 2015 vintage), Verzenay is the principal cru (village) in the new release, while 2019 is the base vintage – hence PN VZ19. Verzenay’s cool, north-eastern slopes and chalky grand cru vineyards proved pivotal to producing wines with elegance and tension in the warmth of 2019 and have yielded a scintillating PN.
Talking to sixth generation Bollinger family member, Cyril Delarue, earlier this year, I learned that in the warming climate, Verzenay is becoming an increasingly important cru for them; it similarly played a key role in the 2015 vintage of their prestige cuvée, La Grand Année, for example.
This superb wine reminds me of the richness and structure of PN VZ15 but with a more taut acid line and more of a distinct salty minerality. Delicious now, it has a long and thrilling future to come. I’ll be tucking some away to celebrate Bollinger’s 200th anniversary in 2029.
