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The top cuvée from one of the greatest names in Champagne, a fizz just released and already scoring 97 points. Gorgeous layers of orchard fruits, citrus, honey, patisserie, crême Anglais and spice. Expressive now, but will reward long cellaring.
The top cuvée from one of the greatest names in Champagne, a fizz just released and already scoring 97 points. Gorgeous layers of orchard fruits, citrus, honey, patisserie, crême Anglais and spice. Expressive now, but will reward long cellaring.
Tasting notes
Elegant, lively, richly textured, tightly coiled, rich toasty finish
Aroma
Honey, brioche, crisp apple and citrus, dried apricot, fresh hazelnut
Allergy information
Contains sulphites
More information
Writer Hugh Johnson calls Bollinger “one of the greats of Champagne” making fizz with “body, length, depth and every other dimension”. Their R.D. is only ever made in the very best vintage, so this is only the third release this century. All the grapes are from cru vineyards, 88% of them Grand Cru, with the first fermentation taking place in barrel to add layers of rich flavour. R.D. stands for ‘recently disgorged’, a concept devised by Madame Bollinger in the 1960s to create a new top-end cuvée. In essence the wine remains for nearly 13 years on its lees (the spent yeasts that settle after the second in-bottle fermentation) before disgorgement. The result is an exceptionally complex Champagne that stays remarkably fresh despite the years.