Champagne Bollinger
Bollinger R.D. Jéroboam (1st release) 2008

Madame Bollinger created the first vintage of this now legendary Cuvée de Prestige, Bollinger R.D., in 1961 together with the launch of R.D. 1952, where R.D. is an acronym for "Récemment Dégorgé" (recently disgorged). Bollinger R.D. is the result of Madame Bollinger's great vision: an evolved Champagne, with aromas enhanced by its exceptional and long maturation on its own yeasts, for over 12 years.

Bollinger R.D. 2008 is the 22nd edition of this extraordinary Cuvée and this assemblage includes 18 crus, mainly Aÿ and Verzenay for the Pinot Noir and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant for the Chardonnay.

Bottled with cork for the second fermentation (to improve ageing) after manual remuage and degorgèment. Since Bollinger R.D. is to all intents and purposes La Grande Année with much longer ageing, developing new levels of complexity, the blend is therefore no secret: 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay, with a final dosage of 3 g/l - making it an Extra Brut.

The extraordinary 2008 vintage is characterised by a remarkable precision and opulence, the cool spring temperatures lasted well into the summer, and the sun returned in time for the harvest. Despite the changing conditions, Maison Bollinger's knowledge and experience kept the grapes in excellent condition, making 2008 an exceptional vintage characterised by an abundant production of Pinot Noir. The wines were rich in aromas: the Chardonnays were lively and powerful, while the Pinot Noirs were characterful and balanced.

A limited reserve of bottles made exclusively by hand with a savoir-faire preserved and passed down from generation to generation. An old Cuvée with a contemporary soul.

Bollinger R.D. 2008 presents itself to the eye with golden reflections. To the nose it reveals inviting aromas of marzipan, stewed apricots, honey and breadcrumbs accompany fresh notes of bergamot. On the palate, it has a rich and precise mousse. Citrus notes are followed by flavours of Mirabelle plums and vine peaches. A very lively wine that unfolds to reveal exceptional complexity. Notes of fresh hazelnuts and salinity combine to create an intense and lasting finish.

Champagne Bollinger

In 1829 Jacques Bollinger, together with Athanase de Villermont, founded in Aÿ the Maison under his name. Thanks to the priviledge position of the vineyards and a deep quality moral, the Bollinger Maison has acquired a solid reputation at international level, thanks to the style and wine quality for its Champagnes. Today the family still runs the Maison Bollinger in order to maintain a high production level. In 1992 the family wrote down its Ethic & Quality Principles, lying down all methods followed by the family to produce Champagne. The vineyards of the Maison Bollinger extend over a surface of 160 hectares within the territory of Grands Crus and Premier Crus champenoise, covering up to 70% of the grape need, witha stable quality over time. The remaining 30% comes from selected grapes from other wine-growers in the Grand and Premier Cru territories as well. The Maison Bollinger only uses wines coming from the first pressing, carefully controlling the following steps. Bollinger style is based on Pinot Noir, especially from Aÿ, Bouzy and Verzenay. The typical features of these villages grant the wines richness, vinousity and roundness. Grand Crus and Premier Crus are part of the assemblage of Grande Année and for 80% in Special Cuvée, giving Bollinger wines their structure and complexity. The vins de réserve rest in corked Magnum bottles under a light froth, cru by cru, vine by vine, year by year. This unique methos in Champagne allows the Maison Bollinger to store its wines for a long time, also keeping their original freshness and character. The Maison Bollinger owns a real winehouse and this helps in the creation of Special Cuvée, obtained after a careful selection of cru, vine and year.