Product Information: A symbol of the freedom of the Louis Roederer style, Collection continues the story of this champagne that encapsulates all of Roederer's savoir-faire and reflects its constant pursuit of quality. Collection is based on a multi-vintage blend of wines from selected vineyard plots in the heart of the Champagne terroirs with a focus on sustainable growing. The 245th blend is based on the 2020 vintage, blended with a perpetual reserve to build texture and complexity. There's a lovely golden yellow hue. Persistent lively bubbles. Bouquet of yellow fruits (nectarine) and ripe, concentrated citrus (lemon) complemented by sweet notes of petals, pollen, sugared almonds and wheat. The palate is velvety; unctuous, rich and juicy. The bubbles have an almost saline character to them and coat the palate with a broad and concentrated texture. The wine reveals an exceptional balance between structure and a crisp. powdery, saline chalky freshness. Smoky and slightly oaky notes linger on a deliciously well-honed finish. From equal parts of their estate vineyards la Rivière, la Montagne and la Côte. 41% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 24% Meunier. The 245th blend is comprised of 55% of the 2020 harvest, 35% Perpetual reserve wine from 2012-2019) and 10% reserve wines aged in oak (2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019). Acidity is softened with 22% malolactic fermentation and a low dosage of 7g per litre is added before bottling. Maker: Louis Roederer is a highly respected Champagne producer located in the historic city of Reims. The renowned Champagne house, founded in the late 1700s, is still owned and operated by the Roederer family. Their signature style consists of an equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with a touch of Pinot Meunier, which comprises approximately one-fifth of the blend. Louis Roederer's most famous wine is Cristal, a prestigious Champagne that has captured the hearts of wine enthusiasts worldwide. The house was founded in 1833 and aimed to capture foreign markets, particularly Russia. Roederer became the wine of choice for the Russian royal family, and Cristal was created for Tsar Alexander II. Louis Roederer acquired grand cru vineyards in Champagne in 1845, which was unusual for the time as most houses were buying grapes from growers. Today, the Roederer vineyards encompass around 240 hectares of land, with around 25% managed biodynamically. This commitment to sustainable farming practices is a testament to the house's dedication to producing high-quality wines that are both delicious and environmentally responsible. The Vineyard: The year 2020 followed a similar trajectory to that of 2019 with a mild and rainy winter followed by a dry summer with several heatwaves which, although less extreme than in 2019, still had an impact on the yield. Fortunately, the weather was rather dull and a bit wet in June which provided a welcome humid interlude between two dry spells. Despite early impressions of relentless heat and sunshine, the temperatures and sunshine levels over the 2020 harvest period were actually relatively normal. These continental conditions, but with "normal" annual averages, enabled the production of mature and well-balanced wines! The harvests took place between 22 August and 11 September 2020. Nose - Nectarine, Lemon, Sugared Almonds Bouquet of yellow fruits (nectarine) and ripe, concentrated citrus (lemon) complemented by sweet notes of petals, pollen, sugared almonds and wheat. Palate - Unctuous, Rich, Broad The palate is velvety; unctuous, rich and juicy. The bubbles have an almost saline character to them and coat the palate with a broad and concentrated texture. Finish - Crisp, Chalky, Slight Oak The wine reveals an exceptional balance between structure and a crisp, powdery, saline chalky freshness. Smoky and slightly oaky notes linger on a deliciously well-honed finish.

Product Description: This cuvée represents the union of tradition and innovation, with each release of Bollinger’s PN series acting as a tribute to the House’s history and expertise. With its moderate dosage of 6 grams per litre and an extended maturation period far surpassing the AOC requirements, PN VZ19 offers a wine that not only respects its heritage but also pushes the boundaries of Champagne-making. PN VZ19’s elegance and vibrant acidity make it an ideal companion to dishes with delicate flavours and a touch of richness. Consider pairing it with Breton lobster, roasted summer vegetables, or a spiced tomato juice for a harmonious dining experience. Maker: Since 1829, Champagne Bollinger has been making great wines with a powerful, refined and complex style, expressing the aromas of the fruit in all its dimensions. This truly unique taste is the result of a particular affinity for the elegance of pinot noir, uncompromising excellence, an exceptional vineyard and traditional craftsmanship handed down through the generations with the utmost care since 1829. The story begins with Athanase de Villermont, who inherited a vast estate from his family on the outskirts of Aÿ. He instantly sensed the extraordinary potential of the wines of Champagne, but as a member of the aristocracy, he was forbidden from taking part in any commercial activity. Then he met Joseph “Jacques” Bollinger, who specialised in selling the wines of Champagne, and Paul Renaudin, a born-and-bred Champenois fascinated by the world of wine. On 6 February 1829, the company Renaudin-Bollinger & Cie was founded. Joseph was in charge of sales, while Paul oversaw the cellar. Athanase had founded a Champagne house that would transcend centuries. Through turbulent times including the phylloxera crisis throughout Europe's vineyards and World War I, Georges Bollinger, son of founder Jacques, steered the house with resilience and dedication. His son, Jacques Bollinger, continued the legacy, expanding the estate and modernising facilities while upholding Bollinger's exacting standards. After Jacques' passing, Madame Bollinger, known for her business acumen and global ambassadorship, navigated the post-war recovery and succession planning until 1971, ensuring the house thrived. Successive leaders like Claude d'Hautefeuille (appointed chairman from 1971) and Christian Bizot (1978) upheld Bollinger's legacy, with Ghislain de Montgolfier (1994) and Jérôme Philipon (2008) furthering its global stature and quality standards into the modern era. Since 2017, Charles-Armand de Belenet became Chief Executive Officer of Champagne Bollinger, embracing both tradition and innovation, maintaining its prestigious position in the Champagne world while fostering continued growth and excellence. Philosophy: Over the years, Bollinger has built its vineyards at the heart of the finest crus in Champagne. Champagne Bollinger’s 180 hectares of vines are made up of 85% Grand and Premier crus and are farmed by our teams of growers across 7 separate vineyards: Aÿ, Avenay, Tauxières, Louvois and Verzenay for pinot noir, around the Montagne de Reims, Cuis for chardonnay on the Côte des Blancs and Champvoisy for meunier in the Vallée de la Marne. Another of Bollinger’s distinctive features are two plots, the Clos Saint-Jacques and Chaudes Terres, which have never succumbed to phylloxera. These ungrafted vines are entirely tended by hand and reproduced using a form of layering called provignage, thereby providing the means to preserve this extraordinary heritage from which the very exclusive Vieilles Vignes Françaises cuvée is produced. With regards to sustainability. In 2012, Champagne Bollinger was the first wine house in France whose vineyards were certified as ‘High Environmental Value’ (HEV). Two years later, it was also the first to receive the Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne certification. These prestigious labels assure the highest standards in environmental practice. Herbicides have also been banned on our vineyards since 2016. Each and every day, the managers of Bollinger vineyards use natural techniques to limit the pressure on the soil. These include the establishment of cover crops, mulching and environmentally-friendly grazing. In addition to sustainability Champagne Bollinger is proud to have B Corp certification, maintaining its ongoing commitment to the Land but also to its people, and to its Bollinger's illustrious legacy. On the subject of legacy and preservation Bollinger is home to the last resident cooper of the Champagne region. Cooperage is a highly skilled craft: each one of Bollinger’s 4,000 aged barrels, of which some are nearly 100 years old, requires great attention. Learning to maintain this legacy in perfect condition requires rigorous training, which is why cooperage is a craft that must be passed on to younger generations. Bollinger attaches great importance to preserving this valuable expertise. Tasting Notes Nose Expressive, Fruity, Harmonious An aromatic symphony of orchard fruits, followed by enticing red and exotic fruit notes. The delicate yet expressive fragrance is both complex and ethereal. Palate Vibrant, Silky, Elegant The fruitiness from the nose is complemented by fresh Granny Smith apple acidity, mingled with the fleshy sweetness of vine peach and the vibrant tang of blood orange. The texture is smooth and silky, with a subtle touch of salinity, adding depth and complexity. Finish Complex, Saline, Lingering The finish is long and satisfying, with the wine’s inherent tension and mineral character leaving a lasting impression, offering a final flourish of complexity.

The thrilling energy of this splendid season charges it with a vibrancy and definition that places this blend on a plateau elevated high above even the lofty heights that this cuvee has attained under the new Charles Heidsieck. In searching for any other entry non-vintage cuvee to which to compare it, I can fathom none short of the mesospheric heights of Krug itself. In sheer age (current Krug Grande Cuvee is only one year older) and depth of reserves, this Charles Heidsieck splendidly upholds its elevated position among Champagne's richer NVs... In sheer, breathtaking calibre for the price, this is the greatest Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve I can remember. It deserves to be the house champagne we all have chilled perpetually at the ready this year. Rating: 96/100.