Bollinger Champagne 1996 RD 6 x75cl beautfully presented in a Bollinger Wooden Box. R D means "Recently disgorged" and this wine is produced exclusively from wines of the cuvee juice 65% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and fermented in small oak barrels older than 5 years or more to ensure neither an oaky taste nor tannins. After disgorging, the wines have a very slight addition of dosage, revealing the most pure and profound truth of the wine, paradoxically combining an extraordinary freshness and an exceptional expression of secondary and tertiary aromas.16 crus have been used in the blend of R.D. including 75% Grands Crus and 25% Premiers Crus.
Madame Bollinger first had the idea in 1961 of offering recently disgorged cuvees as part of her absolute commitment to making the best possible wines.
"Shimmering, deepening yet brightly fine gold, signaling all the power and complexity to come in the wine. As always with Bollinger, that wonderful bouncy acidity of 1996 is still fresh (unlike lesser Champagnes of the same year), the nose adopting controlled autolytic character. The mouthfeel is perfect, the mousse invigorating but not aggressive, the strong acidity melding beautifully with the wondrous vinosity of Pinot Noir very much in the driving seat..."
Michael Edwards, World of Fine Wine
1 February 2011
"The 1996 R.D. from Bollinger is another superb wine from this vintage. An expressive bouquet of spices, acacia blossoms and perfumed fruit emerges from the wine’s silky-textured frame. This generous R.D. is drinking well today, but also has enough freshness to age well for years. It is a great version of one of Champagne’s legendary wines."
Very limited availability - case of 6 bottles in a Bollinger Wooden Box - a memorable gift.
