The 2008 Bollinger RD is a superstar Champagne from one of the all-time great vintages. It was an instant sell-out on release and every parcel we’ve seen since has followed suit. We are, therefore, delighted to offer a significant parcel of the latest, 2023, disgorgement to offer.

These 2008 Champagnes have been a massive success. The quality of this magnificent vintage saw huge demand from connoisseurs across the globe who saw an opportunity to buy into something very special. Many disappeared on release and have been tough to find ever since, meaning that a pristine parcel such as this, complete with extended time in Bollinger’s cellars is a massive bonus for Champagne collectors.

Much was expected given the reputation of Bollinger RD and this vintage, it has more than met them. The critics are united in their praise for this 2008. William Kelley’s note reveals this to be a sublime Champagne in the making. For him, it is “the finest R. D. of the decade”, and has a “deep core of fruit that’s animated by racy acids and a refined pinpoint mousse, concluding with a bone-dry finish”. Lisa Perrotti-Brown calls it “so full of life and magic” and James Suckling, “So tangy and energetic with sizzling acidity and creamy tannins”. 

This is a Champagne you simply cannot own too much of and we’re expecting this parcel to go as quickly as the last one. So, please do let us know at your earliest if you would like to secure a case or two.

When I was tasting Bollinger’s brilliant Grande Année in this vintage, I was trying to imagine how good the 2008 Extra-Brut R. D. would be, as the style of the vintage seems almost perfectly adapted to this cuvée. Four years later, we have the answer, and the wine is brilliant. Disgorged in 2022, it’s more reserved out of the gates than the dramatic Grande Année was on release, unwinding in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, orange peel, freshly baked bread, subtle hints of fino sherry, wet stones and macadamia nut. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, with a deep core of fruit that’s animated by racy acids and a refined pinpoint mousse, concluding with a bone-dry finish. Extremely harmonious and full of youthful energy, it’s the finest R. D. of the decade and one that will richly reward a bit of additional age on cork. In style, the most obvious comparison is with the 1996, but the 2008 is more integrated and harmonious on release. These bottles were disgorged late last year with three grams per liter dosage. (2023) www.robertparker.com Drink 2025-2045