Bollinger PN AYC18 Brut Champagne [WA94][JG94][D94][JD93+][WS93]

Producer: Bollinger  
Region: Champagne, France  
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir 
Year: Non-Vintage 

Wine Advocate, 94 Points 

"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. Drink: 2023-2035." 

John Gilman, 94 Points 

"The Bollinger “Pinot AYC 18” Brut is the fourth iteration of this pinot noir-only bottling from the maison. As the name implies, the wine is from the base year of 2018 and is principally made up of pinot noir grown in their home village of Aÿ, though it includes some fruit from Tauxières and Verzenay and there are reserve wines in the blend that date back fully to 2009. The wine was disgorged in January of 2023 and finished with a dosage of six grams per liter. The wine is beautifully refined aromatically, wafting from the glass in a mix of peach, apple, chalky soil tones, pâtissière, dried flowers, just a whisper of oak and gentle early signs of the smokiness that will emerge with bottle age. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, elegant and complex, with beautiful depth at the core, a lovely spine of acidity, refined mousse and a very long, soil-driven and vibrant finish. This is simply outstanding bubbly. 2023-2050."

Decanter, 94 Points 

"A wine of constant surprise and contrast, first with the heat and generosity of 2018 offering up voluminous roasted apricots and apples, a bittersweet orange citrus and peach kernel richness, a surprisingly silky and flowing mousse and finally an intriguing, smoky, reductive element coming from the magnum reserve wines. It’s a hugely engaging, detailed and rewarding wine, bold but refined. 100% Pinot Noir, predominantly from Aÿ, with support from the villages of Tauxières and Verzenay. Based on the 2018 vintage, with 50% reserve wines back to 2009. Drinking Window: 2024-2029." 

Jeb Dunnuck, 93+ Points 

"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. Drink: 2024-2034."

Wine Spectator, 93 Points 

"Mouthwatering and finely meshed, with density to the satiny texture, this marries bright acidity with flavors of ripe white cherry, biscuit, pickled ginger and candied grapefruit peel. Opens slowly on the palate, revealing layers of fragrant spices, mineral and dried flowers on the finish. Disgorged January 2023. Best from 2025 through 2033." 

Alcohol: 12.5% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.