Bollinger R.D. Extra Brut 2008

Created in 1829, this wine estate has always pushed its visionary projects. From the beginning, the owners have had a constant desire to grow their estate while extending the influence of the Bollinger brand. The house took an historic turn when Elisabeth Bollinger took charge of the company. At first, she acquired new vines in Aÿ, Mutigny, Grauves and Bisseuil. Furthermore, in 1961 she created the ‘Recently Disgorged’ R.D. style which is a Champagne that has been aged on its lees for longer than usual. Lily, as she is affectionately known, raised the Bollinger brand to its legendary status. History will remember her silhouette crossing the vineyards by bicycle and her famous quote: ‘I drink it when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it – unless I’m thirsty.’.

An old vintage, with a very low dosage, that has been disgorged just prior to release: R.D. is a wine that has always been ahead of its time and embodies Madame Bollinger’s visionary spirit. The combination of the long wait during the ageing process and the immediacy of disgorgement enables the harmonious contrast between the different temporalities of R.D.

The assembly of this 2008 vintage is composed of 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay. A total of 18 crus can be find in the blending, mostly Aÿ and Verzenay for Pinot Noir and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant for Chardonnay. The fermentation is entirely in oak barrels. Bollinger R.D. is sold just a few months after being disgorged, with a very low dosage known as “extra brut”, at just 3 grams per litre. The recent disgorgement guarantees the remarkable freshness of the wine.