In pursuit of Champagne's finest moments
Most champagne houses have always kept a collection of old wines to share with family, close friends, and special guests. Back in the 1950s, it was customary that these wines were disgorged a short time before being offered; it was known that the period after disgorgement was propitious, that the wine would then be especially vivid. At Champagne Bollinger, Madame Lily wondered why the experience of such wines couldn't be shared more widely than with just a few favoured guests. Perhaps - God forbid - with anyone who wanted? And so was born the R.D. cuvee.
It is only produced in the very best vintages, such as the blessed, warm 2004, and comes only from grand and premier cru sites. R.D. (Récemment Dégorgé, or Recently Disgorged) is a vintage of La Grande Annee (vintage Bollinger) kept back for especially long lees aging; Bollinger is the only champagne house to regularly release such a long lees-aged wine.
Sumptuously rich, intensely aromatic, thirteen years of lees-aging has brought the 2004 R.D. a deep expressiveness; it is complex, spiced, honeyed (and Extra Brut). This isn't the first time it has hit the market - in order to capture the champagne at its very best, it has been disgorged in stages. This is the final disgorgement (November 2018) in the pomp of its aromatic best - catch it while you can. /NT
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available imminently
To place an order, click on the wine name below, reply to this email, or call 020 7638 5998
