2008 Bollinger R.D., Champagne

Amazing aromas of sweet uncooked pie crust with almonds. Then you smell dried apples, apricots and pineapple. Grilled fruits, too. Full-bodied. So tangy and energetic with sizzling acidity and creamy tannins. Flavorful and lightly oxidized at the finish. Smacking my lips. Agile. Ginger and spices. A touch of bitter complexity with some salinity. Extreme character that grabs your attention. 13 years and six months aging on the lees with cork. 3 grams dosage. 71% pinot noir and 29% chardonnay. Don’t serve too cold. Drink or hold.

99 points James Suckling

Few Champagnes have achieved the legendary status of Bollinger R.D. First created by Madame Lily Bollinger in 1967, the name stands for Récemment Dégorgé, meaning recently disgorged. The concept was revolutionary, allowing a Champagne to mature for many years on its lees before release while retaining remarkable freshness and vitality. R.D. has since become one of Champagne's most sought after wines, combining the complexity of extended ageing with the energy of a late disgorgement.

The 2008 vintage is widely regarded as one of the greatest Champagne harvests of the modern era. A cool growing season and long ripening period produced wines of extraordinary precision, tension and longevity. Built around Pinot Noir from Bollinger's finest Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards, supported by Chardonnay, this release captures the power and structure that define the house style while showcasing the exceptional quality of the vintage.

Deep gold in colour with a fine, persistent bead, the bouquet is captivatingly complex. Aromas of preserved lemon, baked apple and white peach mingle with notes of brioche, toasted hazelnut and honeycomb. With time in the glass, layers of truffle, spice, chalk and subtle smoke emerge, adding remarkable depth. The palate is powerful yet beautifully poised, delivering concentrated citrus and orchard fruit flavours wrapped around a creamy texture and vibrant acidity. The finish is exceptionally long and mineral, unfolding with wave after wave of toast, citrus and saline complexity.

This is a Champagne worthy of the finest table, pairing beautifully with lobster, oysters, roast turbot, poultry with morels or aged Comté. Already magnificent, it possesses the balance and structure to continue evolving for decades, cementing its place among the great releases of Bollinger R.D.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2055.