Bollinger Champagne PNAYC18

The NV PN AYC 2018 is the newest edition in Bollinger’s range of single village-based Champagnes, a series of wines created by former Chef de Caves Gilles Descôtes, who passed away earlier this year. 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.

93P+: Including the 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2009 vintage, the pale straw-copper hued NV Champagne PN AYC18 opens with stunning notes of jasmine and tropical flowers, followed by pure and expressive aromas of wild cherry, fresh orange, wet stone, and fresh roses. Full-bodied, with freshness throughout and a hint of warmth on its beautiful finish, this is the most successful of the wines from this line that I have tasted to date, offering fantastic length and gorgeous depth of fruit. It’s going to only improve with another few years in bottle, but it’s gorgeous now. Drink 2024-2034. Dosage 6 grams per liter.

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.

Denne Champagne er for dig, som virkelig går op i kvalitet og nyder Champagne fra øverste hylde. Den er lavet på 100 % Pinot Noir og er et smukt blend af Bollingers 2018 og 2009 udgivelse samt en lille smule fra 2016 og 2017 udgivelserne. Hvad får man så, når man blander disse årgange - du får en mesterlig Champagne. I næsen har den duft af citrus, modne pærer, grape, mynte, honning og et hint af karamelliserede æbler. I munden er der livlig, masser af energi, hvor du fornemmer friskhed, syre og en ufattelig kompleksitet. Til prisen er den fremragende.

Bollingers PN serie giver på så mange måder mening, hvilket bliver eksemplificeret her. Rig duft af nedfaldne røde æbler, rugbrød og gule blomster. I munden har den masser af fylde, frugt og en sprød syre. Smagen af mirabeller, kongen af Danmark bolsjer og en parmesanagtig der umami bliver hængende i munden I rigtig lang tid og skaber en stor dybde i denne champagne, der understreger husets overlegne evner til at omdanne Pinot Noir druer til guddommelig boblende vin. Snyd ikke dig selv for denne oplevelse.