Bollinger - Champagner Vintage R.D. 2004

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "The wine's name stands for recently disgorged and this vintage Champagne was taken off its lees in 2018. That gave many years for it to develop its depth of flavor, richness and beautifully memorable toasty flavors. Drink through 2028."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "Fermented in oak barrels and aged under natural corks for almost 13 years, Bollinger's 2004 R. D. Extra Brut blends 66% Pinot Noir with 34% Chardonnay from 16 crus, 88% of which are classified as Grand Cru. The wine opens with a very clear, deep, rich and aromatic but also pure and mineral-fresh nose of crushed rocks, cherries, brioche, pain aux raisin, white nougat, chalk and ripe, yellow-fleshed fruits. Highly elegant and complex on the weightless yet persistent and salty palate, this is an intense, densely woven, firmly structured yet elegant, beautifully refined and refreshing "recent disgorgement" (February 2018) that reveals just a kiss of oxidative flavors that adds even more complexity. A great Champagne on its way to improve over many years in the bottle. Tasted June 2018."

JAMES SUCKLING: "A superb moment for this late-disgorged vintage Champagne. All the complexity and fruit are here, in the right proportions, on the nose and palate. Grilled peaches, grapefruit, lemons, hazelnuts, espresso and more. Super long, majestic and so rewardingly complex. Drink now."

DECANTER: "This is Bollinger’s 2004 interpretation of their famous barrel-aged, recently-disgorged Champagne. This time around it's a blend of 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, having received a dosage of 3g/l before being cellared under cork, unlike the usual practice of using a crown cap for this phase. A bouquet of raisins and spice jumps out of the glass, propelled by a magnificent mint-toned freshness. Tight and crystalline on the palate, it's dense and yet not all that vinous in mouthfeel. The finish is one of ethereal lightness and magnificent balance. Drink with well-aged cheese."

WINE SPECTATOR: "The lovely nose of acacia blossom, toast and graphite leads to flavors of poached quince, fleur de sel, white cherry, lemon pith and almond skin in this dry and harmonious Champagne. Almost airy and ethereal in texture, yet the finely woven flavor range goes on and on, echoing on the finish. Disgorged June 2017. Drink now through 2034. 301 cases imported. — AN"

FALSTAFF: "Leuchtendes Goldgelb, sehr feine, zartes Mousseux. Zart nach Nougat und Dörrobst, zarter Hauch von Karamell und reifer Birne, dezente tabakige Würze. Sehr komplex und engmaschig, dezente Holzwürze unterlegt, Nuancen von Honigmelone und Marille, straffer Säurebogen, mineralischer Anklang im Abgang, maskuliner, gut gereifter Stil, ein facettenreicher Speisenbegleiter, schokoladiger Touch im Rückgeschmack."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. The most evolved of the lot. Smells similar to its pair but less dense than the other one (which turned out to be the 2002). Also demanding and dry but very slightly less tightly knitted weft. Still quite chewy on the end."