Bollinger R.D 2008

Bollinger R.D 2008

98+/100 Parker

Evaluated by :

William Kelley

Tasting period: 2025 - 2045

When I tasted Bollinger's superb Grande Année in this vintage, I was trying to imagine how exceptional the 2008 Extra-Brut R.D. could be, as the style of the vintage seemed perfectly suited to this cuvée.Four years later, the answer is there: the wine is brilliant.Disgorged in 2022, it reveals itself to be more reserved on opening than the spectacular Grande Année on release, gradually blossoming in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, orange peel, freshly baked bread, as well as subtle touches of fino sherry, wet stone and macadamia nuts.On the palate, it offers a beautiful structure, both medium-bodied and full-bodied, with a deep fruity core animated by lively acidity and a refined, precise mousse, before ending on a finish of great dryness. Extremely harmonious and imbued with youthful energy, this is the greatest R.D. of the decade, which will gain even more complexity with a few more years under cork.Its style is reminiscent of the 1996 vintage, but the 2008 stands out for its superior integration and harmony right from the start. 

These bottles were disgorged at the end of 2022 with a dosage of three grams per liter.

The 2008 vintage was a great success for Bollinger, and I've been looking forward to tasting the R.D. for a long time. Readers wishing to learn more about this cuvée, as well as discover tasting notes on older vintages dating back to 1955, can refer to my article published in the third week of August 2022 in The Wine Advocate, which explores the origins of the R.D., its elaboration and evolution over time.

THE CHAMPAGNE R.D

R.D. for "Récemment Dégorgé (Recently Disgorged)": it was in 1967 that Madame Bollinger created this
mythical cuvée, offering the world the opportunity to taste a champagne that has been aged
on the lees to the extreme.

Caution, the wooden boxes sold on the website are not adapted to the format of the Dom Perignon bottles.