Bollinger B16

A sophisticated champagne with extremely refined character and linear phenolics that give it length and class. It's medium-bodied with grapefruit and apples as well as pie crust. Bright acidity at the end. A blend of 72% pinot noir and 28% chardonnay. (96) JAMES SUCKLING

It presents a relatively delicate, cool and understated vintage relative to the Grande Année. The ripeness of the Pinot Noir is certainly present in the juicy stewed apricot and fresh raspberry fruit, but Chardonnay here brings gentle orchard fruit and fresh grapefruit zest beneath subtle richness of toasted nut and oyster shell complexity from ageing. While Grande Année offers more intensity and drama, and the latest PN series offers dynamism and youthful energy, B16 is perfectly pitched between smooth maturity and approachable brightness. TOM HEWSON, Decanter - drink 2025-2032

The vinification with the old oak barrels, bottle aging under cork, hand remuage and disgorging by hand is exactly the same as always, but the style is completely different with a completely different terroir expression. Just like the VVF from 2016, Bollinger B from the same vintage has a 4 gram dosage.
This is of course a very good wine and it is extremely exciting to see how the vineyards put their own fingerprint on the whole. I am most struck by the difference in structure compared to LGA. Here everything is silky and slim, with Bouzy's soft, slightly gentle form. Even the most characteristic hazelnut aroma is replaced with sweet almond. The apple notes are toned down and the peach notes take over. The honeysuckle is gone and has been replaced by hawthorn and bird cherry. The precision is eminent and the development potential may be higher than I indicated as time will probably erase some of the differences compared to LGA. RICHARD JUHLIN

Pale golden yellow, silver reflections, lively, fine mousse. Delicate orange zest, yellow plum, peach, white flowers, a fine touch of honey, a hint of nut. Juicy, ripe yellow apple, good fruit without being sweet, a hint of grapefruit, finely structured, lemon-salty touch on the finish, animating style. (95) FALSTAFF