When I was tasting Bollinger's brilliant Grande Année in this vintage, I was trying to imagine how good the 2008 Extra-Brut R. D. would be, as the style of the vintage seems almost perfectly adapted to this cuvée. Four years later, we have the answer, and the wine is brilliant. Disgorged in 2022, it's more reserved out of the gates than the dramatic Grande Année was on release, unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, orange peel, freshly baked bread, subtle hints of fino sherry, wet stones and macadamia nut. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of fruit that's animated by racy acids and a refined pinpoint mousse, concluding with a bone-dry finish. Extremely harmonious and full of youthful energy, it's the finest R. D. of the decade and one that will richly reward a bit of additional age on cork. In style, the most obvious comparison is with the 1996, but the 2008 is more integrated and harmonious on release. These bottles were disgorged late last year with three grams per liter dosage.
Disgorged on July 10, 2020, with three grams per liter dosage, Bollinger's eagerly awaited 2007 Extra-Brut R. D. is beautiful, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, citrus pith and white flowers mingled with hints of honey, orange oil, buttery pastry, English walnuts and delicately spicy bass notes. Full-bodied, vibrant and incisive, it's unusually elegant and structurally fine-boned for what is routinely one of Champagne's more muscular tête de cuvées, with a bright spine of acidity that's cloaked in vibrant, concentrated fruit, complemented by a pearly pinpoint mousse and concluding with an intensely sapid finish. Long and penetrating, this is a tightly coiled R. D. that will reward bottle age.
Disgorged on July 10, 2020, with three grams per liter dosage, Bollinger's eagerly awaited 2007 Extra-Brut R. D. is beautiful, unwinding in the glass with aromas of crisp orchard fruit, citrus pith and white flowers mingled with hints of honey, orange oil, buttery pastry, English walnuts and delicately spicy bass notes. Full-bodied, vibrant and incisive, it's unusually elegant and structurally fine-boned for what is routinely one of Champagne's more muscular tête de cuvées, with a bright spine of acidity that's cloaked in vibrant, concentrated fruit, complemented by a pearly pinpoint mousse and concluding with an intensely sapid finish. Long and penetrating, this is a tightly coiled R. D. that will reward bottle age.
Bollinger is a renowned Champagne house that has been producing some of the finest wines in the region for over 180 years. The house is known for its commitment to quality and tradition, and its wines are highly sought after by connoisseurs around the world. One of Bollinger's most famous wines is the R.D. (Recently Disgorged) Champagne. This wine is made using a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, which are carefully selected from the best vineyards in the region. The wine is then aged for a minimum of 8 years on its lees, which gives it a rich and complex flavour profile.
The R.D. Champagne is unique in that it is only released in exceptional vintages, and only after it has been aged for a minimum of 8 years. This extended ageing process gives the wine a depth and complexity that is unmatched by other Champagnes.
The style of production used by Bollinger is traditional and labour-intensive. The grapes are hand-picked and sorted, and the wine is fermented in small oak barrels. The wine is then aged in the bottle for several years, during which time it undergoes a process of autolysis, which gives it its characteristic flavour and aroma.
Bollinger's R.D. Champagne is a wine of exceptional quality and complexity. It has a rich and creamy texture, with notes of toasted bread, honey, and dried fruit. The wine has a long and elegant finish, with a hint of minerality that is typical of the Champagne region.
Overall, Bollinger's R.D. Champagne is a wine that is highly prized by connoisseurs around the world. Its unique style of production and exceptional quality make it a true masterpiece of the Champagne region.