x
  • Country ranking ?

    614
  • Producer ranking ?

    23
  • Decanting time

    20min
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    Iberico Bellota ham, smoked salmon with morrel sauce, roasted chicken with lemon & pine nuts and herbs

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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The Story

R.D. (Recently Disgorged) is the result of a great vision of Madame Bollinger, R.D. is a magnification of the very best that the Champagne region’s terroir has to offer. R.D. starts as a Grande Année, the prestige cuvée of Bollinger, and is allowed to mature for an extra 8 to 20 years, sometimes more. This special aging allows the wine to maintain a unique combination of freshness and vivacity, while developing delicate and complex aromas. The result is a unique style of its own that is highly acclaimed by Bollinger lovers and true wine connoisseurs. The disgorgement date - clearly stated on the back label - is informational. It does not mean that R.D. should be consumed soon afterwards. Much to the contrary, the R.D. wines are characterized by an impressive capacity to age, not only before, but also after the date of disgorgement.

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Wine Information

Blend:  60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay – 23 crus: 71% Grands crus, 29% Premiers crus
Only the very best among vintage champagnes become Bollinger R.D.: 2002 is definitely one of the most promising vintages of the last decade.

Maturation: A very long maturation, more than three times longer than required by the appellation, for an infinite array of flavours: a true wine alchemy

Dosage: Very low: "Extra Brut"", 3 to 4 grams per liter

R.D. stands for Récemment Dégorgé, recently disgorged: Madame Bollinger created this legendary vintage in 1967, giving the world the opportunity to taste a champagne aged on lees for an exceptionally long time. Her great vision? Enabling knowledgeable wine connoisseurs to share a very special moment, when very recently disgorged wine is as fresh and aromatic as ever. It was a small revolution in the world of champagne… The daring Bollinger R.D. could only become James Bond’s favourite champagne.

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Vintage 2002

A cold winter and a mild late spring cued for a perfect June allowing early and fast flowering. Outstanding weather conditions prevailed and the season went on without dramatic turns. Rains in August raised concerns regarding gray rot, but finally sunshine and dry conditions throughout September resulted in an abundant crop of largely healthy fruit (11,930 kg/ha). Dehydration due to wind further aided in achieving perfect ripeness and additional concentration. This, and the cool nights, helped in retaining fresh acidity and, despite the ripeness (10.3% potential alcohol), the wines did not suffer from heaviness or a lack of life. A near-perfect vintage, which produced balanced Champagnes consistently around the region. The best show an impeccable combination of freshness, power, structure and finesse. However, some have matured aromatically quicker than expected and are already past their peak. 2002 produced an abundance of spectacular champagnes, such as Dom Pérignon (the entire range), Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil, Piper-Heidsieck Rare, Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Ruinart Dom Ruinart and Dom Ruinart Rosé, Salon Le Mesnil and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, to name a few.

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Average Bottle Price

2020
216€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Deep

ending

Long

nose

Wide and Complex

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity

Verdict

Sophisticated

Written Notes

A stupendous vintage, one which will last for many years. There is richness, and it is more hazelnut and honey than stonefruit. Enticing truffle notes with hints of red fruits, layered throughout. A truly superb champagne, especially for those who enjoy the more powerful style. 96.

  • 96p
Beautiful sophistication and youthful beauty. While there is a certain knot device and distinct but faint RD tones thowards mushroom, truffle and mineral saltiness. Blooming in the glass and not unlike a young RD 1975, so at some point will this wine breathe sweetest chocolate and nut symphony. Last incredibly tied and grassy. How can disgorging affect so individual in the bottles?
  • 93p

The nose surprises with its sweetly fruity tones, honeycomb, brioche and vanilla. The moderate oxidative characters are well in sync with the lushness and drive of the wine. At an attractive drinking age right now but still on its way up.

  • 95p

To the eye a golden colour with with subtle highlights. On the nose aromas of stewed ripe fruit, particularly quince, but also a discreet note of honey. These are followed by roasted notes and cocoa, which give way to flavours of star anise and nutmeg.

In the mouth, full-bodied attack. Powerful but well-balanced, with persistent flavour. Mineral finish with touches of lemon revealing a pleasing bitterness.

Blend of the 2002 vintage: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. 23 crus: 71% Grands crus, 29% Premiers crus.

Only the very best among vintage champagnes become Bollinger R.D. and 2002 is definitely one of the most promising vintages of the last decade.

Maturation: a very long maturation, more than three times longer than required by the appellation, for an infinite array of flavours: a true wine alchemy.

Dosage: very low: “Extra Brut”, 3 to 4 grams per liter.

This gorgeous, complex Champagne just kept improving in the glass as it opened up. Like a great white wine, the wine expanded, adding depth and length with aeration. Flavors range from toast, citrus to spices and orange peel - still primary flavors suggesting the wine has a long way to go. Impressive wine.

  • 97p

Bollinger R.D. will enhance all gourmet cuisine but its aura is such that it creates a special occasion on its own. Offering it as a gift is a sign of a great friendship.
In order to fully appreciate its unique style, bouquet and aromas, it is best served between 8 and 10°C, or more.
Bollinger R.D. can be enjoyed right away to appreciate the exceptional freshness due to its recent disgorging; you may also choose to let it mature further: its ageing potential is endless.

  • 94p

Bollinger RD 2002 (magnum) Deepish colour. Lifted slightly high toned nose where the oak influence is clear still. Slightly heavy in the mouth with the pinot dominating. Not particularly complex and somewhat lacking elegance? 17.  Same wine from bottle was even more developed with angular acidity and not particularly harmonious.

  • 90p

Tasted Blind, PWC: Very fine slow bubbles, clean tight nose here, a bit muted, slightly musty, earthy notes maybe, its got grip it feels mushroomy definitely Pinot it seems, long intense finish, tight coil, oak here, powerful. This has good sweetness too, this is quite complete for me maybe Pol Winston?

  • 94p
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Information

Origin

Ay, Champagne

Grapes

60% Pinot Noir
40% Chardonnay

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

No Potential

Fake factory

None

Drinking temperature

10-12C

Other wines from this producer

B13 Blanc de Noirs

Bollinger Collection

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La Côte aux Enfants

La Grande Année

La Grande Année rosé

PN TX 17

PN VZ15

PNVZ16

RD Collection

Rosé

Special Cuvée

Verzenay Réserve

Vieilles Vignes Françaises

Vieilles Vignes Francaises Collection

Vins Clairs Cramant Vinifié en Fût

Vintage Champagne

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