2013 B13 Blanc de Noirs Limited Edition Bollinger Champagne

A 100% pinot noir from the pinot masters, Bollinger. It’s 92% grand cru vineyards, all on the Montagne de Reims, a one-off as a result of the unique and difficult 2013 season of snow and frost, a wet spring and a scorching, stormy summer. There’s a reserved bouquet of toasted and fresh bread, nuts, dried fruits and a trace of sherry flor, appropriately subtle. In the mouth, it’s very dry and savoury as well as rich and profound, the flavour lasting long on a harmonious finish. It’s very intense but not too weighty. There is elegance and finesse, the aftertaste very dry and quite exquisite.

A graceful Champagne, with a subtle, pleasing tension to the invigorating aromas and flavors of crème de cassis, baked pineapple, verbena, toast and crystallized honey as they ride the silky mousse. Ends with a mouthwatering, mineral- and spice-laced finish.

100% Pinot Noir from Grand Cru villages Verzenay (51%), Aÿ (25%) and the rest from Louvois, Mareuil and Avenay. The bouquet is compellingly fresh and minty, complicated by notes of white fruit - notably pear and apple – and gentle spices, as well as a light touch of citrus. With aeration, elegant pastry notes come to the fore. On the palate, this is a structured, tension-filled but airborne Champagne with high acidity - a sign of the cool 2018 vintage. Although already thoroughly enjoyable, it should age well over the next 10 years. Dosage 6g/L.

The 2013 Blanc de Noirs B13 is another new Champagne from Bollinger. This 100% Pinot Noir is quite the surprise, as it shows a clearly bright side of Pinot in this late-ripening year. Citrus, orchard fruit, mint, crushed rocks and white pepper lend aromatic brilliance to a decidedly nervy, taut Blanc de Noirs. B13 is a blend taken from five villages on the Montagne de Reims. It will be interesting to see if more Pinot character emerges over time. Dosage is 6 grams per liter

For an 8-year-old champagne this is extremely vibrant, the red-fruit character from the pinot noir grape rather in the background. Quite a strict style with discreet lees creaminess. However the ripeness and power means that it isn’t austere. Feels bone-dry at the powerful, chalky finish. 100% pinot noir, 100% barrel-fermented and 100% matured under cork. Disgorged in March 2021. Drink or hold.