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Bollinger Champagne Extra Brut R.D. [3rd Disgorgement] 2008

$39999

Bollinger is one of the rare grandes marques producing Champagne at the level of the finest growers — bold, powerful, luxurious, and unmistakably itself. R.D. stands for Recemment Degorge: the same base wine as the Grande Annee, but held on its lees for vastly longer before disgorgement. This is the 3rd disgorgement of the 2008 — meaning the wine spent roughly seventeen years on lees, an extraordinary stretch even by Bollinger's standards. The blend leans Pinot Noir from the house's own vineyards in Ay and Verzenay, with Chardonnay from Grand Crus Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant, hand-riddled and aged in barrels that Bollinger's own resident cooper — the only one in Champagne — maintains. 2008 is one of the great Champagne vintages of the century, with the high acid and structure to carry this kind of aging without flagging. Marzipan, stewed apricot, acacia honey, hazelnut, wet stones, fino-sherry hints — the full register of mature Champagne, but with the mousse still alive and the finish bone-dry. The longtime favorite of one James Bond.

Shipping

Every step of the journey is managed to uphold the integrity of each bottle.

  • Nationwide Access: Flat-rate shipping available to most U.S. states with delivery in 3-5 business days.
  • Temperature-Monitored Shipping: We closely monitor weather conditions and make informed decisions to ensure shipments travel safely, with insulated packaging and refrigerated transport available when required.
  • Wine-Specific Protective Packaging: Specialized materials designed to maintain label integrity and prevent breakage during transit.
  • Provenance Assured: All wines are maintained in climate-controlled conditions at our shop until the moment of dispatch.

Returns & Exchanges

We stand behind every bottle we sell.

  • If the wine is less than 10 years old and it is corked, you may return it to us for a full refund or exchange within 60 days of purchase. You must show us proof of purchase. We understand that you may not live near a shop and that it is difficult to ship open bottles of wine to us, so if there's any problem feel free to Contact Us and we'll work it out.
  • For wines older than 10 years, the consumer bears the risk of a faulty cork, but we accept returns of older bottles if the wine is faulty as a result of improper storage. Please come by the store or Contact Us if there is a problem.
  • We may, at our discretion and to the extent permitted by law, accept returns of unopened wines within 30 days of purchase if they were properly stored by the purchaser, subject to a 15% re-stocking fee.

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Saturday: 12pm - 5pm

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Phone: (415) 780-1405


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Antonio Galloni

96 points

"Bollinger’s 2008 R.D. is a powerful, vinous Champagne. Apricot, dried pear, tangerine oil, hazelnut, dried flowers, chamomile and brioche all race across the palate. The 2008 boasts notable depth and textural intensity, with a feeling of phenolic, almost tannin-driven grip from the Pinot that propels the finish. At times the R.D. is quite exotic, even if there is a good kick of energy from the bright, salivating acids and low dosage. The 2008 R.D. is very much a Champagne for the dinner table, a wine that benefits immensely from aeration. In 2008, the blend comprises fruit from 18 villages, 71% Pinot Noir, mostly from Aÿ and Verzenay and 29% Chardonnay, mostly from Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant. Dosage is 3 grams of dosage. I would give this a few more years in bottle to fully come together." —Antonio Galloni

Robert Parker

98 points

"Disgorged in October 2024 with a dosage of three grams per liter, the 2008 Extra-Brut R.D. is superb, offering a bouquet of Granny Smith apple, pomelo and almond paste, mingled with white sandwich bread and oystershell. The medium- to full-bodied palate reveals a deep, vibrant core of fruit, underpinned by racy acidity and framed by high levels of structuring dry extract that assert themselves on the sapid, precise finish. This is a brilliant wine, built to age gracefully on its acidity, and it stands as one of the greatest achievements of the vintage. Its lower dosage, to my palate, also gives it the edge over La Grande Année in terms of energy and aromatic definition." —Kristaps Karklins

Decanter

97 points

"Bright in colour with gold reflections, the aromatics are immediately captivating, with marzipan, acacia, apricot and patisserie all vying for attention. It’s impossibly youthful yet reassuringly mature, a bread basket of delicious contradiction. Cerebral seduction ensues on the palate, with dried fruits, bergamot and lime joining the party, then come the hazelnut notes – which have been identified as a leitmotif for the vintage – and a clean, almost chalky finish to restore rigorous harmony. Precision in no way undermines generosity, and generosity in no way undermines potential. A very fine piece of work all in all, tasted from magnum, alongside bottle and jeroboam." —Simon Field, MW

Wine Spectator

97 points

"This focused Champagne is all about the graceful definition of power, with an up-front, austere edge to the steely acidity, which is softened by the fine, plush mousse and well-integrated with the rich profile. Reveals toasted hazelnut, crystallized honey, peach skin and nectarine flavors that expand on the palate, accented by hints of ground ginger, oyster shell, preserved lemon and a racy streak of salinity that drives the mouthwatering finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay."

More about Bollinger

Wine Details

  • Grape Variety

    Chardonnay , Pinot Noir

  • Vintage

    2008

  • Size

    750ml

  • Farming Practice

    Organic

  • Style

    Earthy , Elegant , Minerally

  • Sweetness

    Champagne Extra Brut , Dry

  • Body

    Medium Bodied

Flatiron's Take

From the Importer

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

Perfect Pairings

Aged Comte, roast capon, lobster with drawn butter, or simply on its own for the occasion.

Tasting Profile

Marzipan, stewed apricot, honey, hazelnut, and wet stones with a fine, persistent mousse and a long, dry finish.