Tasting notes:

One of the world’s great sparkling Pinot Noirs, this Bollinger expression uses grapesprimarily from the 2018 harvest, taking fruit predominantly from the producer’s homevillage of Aÿ. Adding depth and complexity to the Champagne are additional elements,such as Pinot from other villages and wines up to 15 years old that have been aged inmagnums in Bollinger’s cellars. The result is a delicious and layered pure PinotChampagne, with a lovely light golden appearance and aromas of creamy coffee,hazelnut and red apple, as well as some dried apple too. In terms of taste andmouthfeel, it’s both rich and refreshing, with a creamy-textured mousse and some ripeorchard fruit, candied orange and bitter lemon, then almonds and charred wood,followed by a lingering, salty-fresh finish, and a dry, mouth-coating, chalky sensation.While evolved, with grilled flavours and dried fruit, there is a firm freshness to this fizz,helped by a low dosage of 6g/l, which would classify it as Extra Brut. (Patrick Schmitt MW)