Bollinger R.D. 2004

This is a vintage Champagne from Bollinger, made from 66% Pinot Noir and 34% Chardonnay, drawn from 88% Grands Crus and 12% Premiers Crus. R.D. stands for Recently Disgorged, an idea of Madame Bollinger, who wanted a Champagne released ready to drink with both freshness and aromatic complexity. It is fermented entirely in oak barrels, then matured for nearly 13 years under cork. Rich, full-bodied and deep, it shows red berries, Mirabelle plum, brioche, crème pâtissière, lightly griddled nuts and chalky minerality. It glides across the tongue and finishes with light mineral accents and subtle oxidative nuttiness.