Bollinger RD Vintage
Ref. 0233
Since 1952, small parcels of certain vintages of La Grande Année have been kept on the lees for extended ageing, and then released years later as this unique wine. The grapes (63% Pinot Noir, 37%Chardonnay) are harvested exclusively from Grand and Premier Cru vineyards, most of which are owned by the House itself, ensuring optimum quality from the vineyard to the bottle. After a minimum of eight years on the lees it is released. This extended lees ageing gives it an extraordinary aromatic complexity, acclaimed by lovers of the greatest Champagnes, and the greatest wines. After manual riddling, disgorging and a light dosage (3 to 4 grams of residual sugar per litre) the wine rests for 3 months before recovering a perfect balance, and being made ready for shipment. The next vintage is the 1999 – the 22nd edition of this great wine – and it is ready now.
- Colour: Sparkling
- Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
- Vintage: 1997
- Alcohol: 12%
- Other info: Champagne Bollinger was founded in 1829, and is still 100% family owned today. 70% of Bollinger's grape supply comes from its own vineyards. This is a minimum, set out in Bollinger's Charter of Ethics and Quality, which was published in 1992. This Charter confirms the House's commitment to true standards of excellence, and reinforces their stubborn determination to maintain those standards that have made Bollinger a watchword for the quality of Champagne. The Grande Année blend comes only from a particularly fine harvest. When such a harvest occurs the House selects its best wines, cru by cru and grape variety by grape variety - the key to the particular year. The R.D. is simply a logical extension of this approach taken further by extended the ageing on lees.
- Winery website: www.champagne-bollinger.com
£125.00
or £118.75 when purchasing any 12 mixed bottles.