Bollinger PN AYC 2018

$139.99 / $134.99 3+ (code: 3saves5)

Each edition unveils an expression of a principal cru and base year, carefully chosen by Champagne Bollinger, meaning the cuvée reinvents itself year after year. One of the defining features of the Bollinger PN cuvée is the way it captures different styles of Pinot Noir: the PN AYC18 offers a new vision of Maison Bollinger’s mastery of this grape variety.
 
As the fourth edition of Bollinger PN, PN AYC 18 is a champagne with a distinct style that showcases the specificities of the Aÿ terroir, the principal cru in the blend, made predominantly from the 2018 base year.
 
PN AYC18 is an assembly of 100% Pinot Noir, predominantly from the Aÿ cru. It is blended with other villages on the Montage de Reims, such as Tauxières and Verzenay. The base year is 2018. Older wines also feature from our reserve magnums, the oldest of which dates back to 2009.
Its ageing period in the cellar is twice as long as required by appellation regulations and its dosage is moderate - 6 grams per liter.

Winery Tasting Notes

Golden with bronze reflections.  Notes of honey, fruit jellies, quince and candied citrus. Aromas of marzipan and blood orange complement a nose full of sweet spices and a refreshing hint of menthol.  Serious, understated and rich, beautifully expansive with a finish full of confit citrus which enhances the wine’s freshness.
 
92 pts Vinous Media – Galloni
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.  - By Antonio Galloni on June 2023