Champagne Extra Brut R.D. 2008 Bollinger Grand Cru 750ml

Description: Champagne Bollinger R.D. is a unique, vintage character Champagne aged on the lees for a extended period of time, before recently being disgorged by hand (10/28/22). The result is powerful, rare and precious: a contrast between an extraordinary freshness on the palate – emphasized by the extra-brut dosage – and the aromatic intensity of the vintage. Only the greatest vintages are elevated to the level of Bollinger R.D. and 2008 is currently at the top of the pyramid.

In order to showcase its unique style, it is recommended that Bollinger R.D. be serve at 53°F, There are two different experiences possible.
- The first entails a discovery of Bollinger R.D. during the same year of its disgorgement. In this case, the wine expresses a specific aromatic range, with complex fruity notes.

- The alternative experience involves leaving Bollinger R.D. for several more years to mature in the cellar, which then reveals the depth of aromas characteristic of the finest vintages.

Wine Advocate 98pts.: “ 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.” - William Kelley