One of the most prestigious Champagne House (and one of the last independent ones), Bollinger has created outstanding Champagne with character, distinguished by their elegance and complexity, since 1829
Historically, most Champagne Houses have kept a collection of old bottles for the enjoyment of some privileged visitors.
These bottles are exceptionally disgorged very shortly before being tasted, so that the guests share this perfect moment where the wine offers an extraordinary freshness and a sumptuous aromatic expression.
Bollinger R.D. is a unique wine, a vintage aged for a long time on lees, that is afterwards disgorged by hand.
The result is powerful, rare, and precious – the contrast between a wonderful freshness on the palate, underscored by the Extra Brut dosage, and the aromatic intensity of the finest vintages.
The R.D. cuvée is the result of Madame Bollinger’s grand vision.
It was an innovative and spectacular cuvée for the time when the fashion was not for old Champagnes: an old vintage, recently disgorged and with an extra-brut dosage. Bollinger R.D. combines the boldness of a recent disgorgement with the brilliance of the 2004 vintage.
This unique vintage will be named Bollinger R.D. for "Recently Degrored" and its label will be the first in history to display a disgorging date. Available with its case
“Recently Disgorged” means that disgorgement has taken place less than one year before commercial release.
The wine offers freshness and extraordinary intensity due to its recent disgorgement, as well as the aromas of an old vintage which has been aged in the cellar for an exceptionally long time, all the while nourished by contact with the lees and has blossomed during this time stored in perfect conditions.
The assembly of this 2004 vintage is composed of 66% pinot noir and 34% chardonnay.
It features 88% Grands Crus and 12% Premiers Crus. A total of 16 crus can be find in the blending.
The fermentation is entirely in oak barrels. Only the greatest vintages can join the ranks of Bollinger R.D.
The extremely long ageing period, over four times higher than stipulated by appellation regulations, endlessly transforms the aromas: this is wine alchemy. Bollinger R.D. is sold just a few months after being disgorged, with a very low dosage known as “extra brut”, 3 grams per litre.
The recent disgorgement guarantees the remarkable freshness of the wine.
In order to showcase its unique style, we recommend serving Bollinger R.D. at a temperature of 8°C, then to appreciate the evolution of its aromas over the course of the tasting.
To discover the freshness of recent disgorgement, Bollinger R.D. can be enjoyed in the year it was disgorged, or you may also choose to let it mature further: its potential for ageing is endless.
Award:
98 Wine Enthusiast
97 Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
96 Wine Spectator
95 Falstaff
