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2008 Bollinger Champagne R.D. Extra Brut #261605728
Reviews 98 points Wine Advocate "Disgorged in 2022, it's more reserved out of the gates than the dramatic Grande Annee 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. (WK)" 96 points Vinous "...is a powerful, vinous Champagne. Apricot, dried pear, tangerine oil, hazelnut, dried flowers, chamomile and brioche all race across the palate. The 2008 boasts notable depth and textural intensity, with a feeling of phenolic, almost tannin-driven grip from the Pinot that propels the finish. (AG)"
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About Bollinger
Bollinger, an esteemed Champagne producer, prides itself on the painstakingly crafted, innovative range of sparkling wines. After the untimely passing of Jacques Bollinger, his widow, Lily, took charge, developing the house's distinctively luxurious Champagne Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut. With the "R.D." standing for "recently disgorged," the wine is a blend of vintage Champagnes, carefully disgorged by hand to preserve the freshness of old vintages, something that sets Bollinger apart from other producers.
Lily Bollinger's legacy also includes the establishment of Vieilles Vignes Françaises, an old-vine cuvée birthed in two phylloxera-untouched vineyards, Clos Saint-Jacques and Clos Chaudes-Terres. Here, the rare provignage layering method is practiced, ensuring an authentic taste of Champagnes now lost to history.
Unlike most Champagne houses that have switched to stainless steel for aging, Bollinger maintains traditional oak barrel aging, housing over 4,000 barrels, some over a century old, sourced from Burgundy. This practice offers a unique, sweet aromatic complexity to their Champagnes.
In another distinctive approach, Bollinger bottles its finest reserves in magnums, allowing them to age on cellar shelves. These wines undergo a secondary fermentation before bottling and add to the collection of over 800,000 magnums in Bollinger's cellar, subsequently used for their Special Cuvée release.
A significant feature of Bollinger wines is the high percentage of Pinot Noir, comprising around 60% of their blends, despite only making up 38% of the region's total grape cultivation. This inclusion is reflected in their Special Cuvée release.
Another noteworthy offering is the Grande Année Cuvee, a vintage Champagne blending 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. This cuvée is only produced in years of exceptional harvest. After extended aging on its lees, every bottle of La Grande Année is riddled and disgorged by hand.
These intricate processes and practices distinctly define Bollinger as a Champagne house dedicated to preserving tradition while continually pursuing excellence.
Lily Bollinger's legacy also includes the establishment of Vieilles Vignes Françaises, an old-vine cuvée birthed in two phylloxera-untouched vineyards, Clos Saint-Jacques and Clos Chaudes-Terres. Here, the rare provignage layering method is practiced, ensuring an authentic taste of Champagnes now lost to history.
Unlike most Champagne houses that have switched to stainless steel for aging, Bollinger maintains traditional oak barrel aging, housing over 4,000 barrels, some over a century old, sourced from Burgundy. This practice offers a unique, sweet aromatic complexity to their Champagnes.
In another distinctive approach, Bollinger bottles its finest reserves in magnums, allowing them to age on cellar shelves. These wines undergo a secondary fermentation before bottling and add to the collection of over 800,000 magnums in Bollinger's cellar, subsequently used for their Special Cuvée release.
A significant feature of Bollinger wines is the high percentage of Pinot Noir, comprising around 60% of their blends, despite only making up 38% of the region's total grape cultivation. This inclusion is reflected in their Special Cuvée release.
Another noteworthy offering is the Grande Année Cuvee, a vintage Champagne blending 65% Pinot Noir and 35% Chardonnay. This cuvée is only produced in years of exceptional harvest. After extended aging on its lees, every bottle of La Grande Année is riddled and disgorged by hand.
These intricate processes and practices distinctly define Bollinger as a Champagne house dedicated to preserving tradition while continually pursuing excellence.