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Description

Bollinger Vintage Champagne 2008
R.D. Extra Brut
4ocb, disgorged Oct. 2023
Bottle (12)

From the single-owner collection of an esteemed industry insider, sourced directly from Europe's most prestigious estates. Every bottle was acquired upon release and stored in professional, temperature- and humidity-controlled conditions from day one. A rare opportunity to acquire wines with impeccable provenance.

"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." (98+ pts. William Kelley, Wine Advocate, March 2023)

"The taste is vibrantly fresh while being rich and grilled nutty. Here, minerality and sea aromas such as iodine and oyster shells show up together with an apricot-like sublime fruitiness. After a fresh attack, my senses are left supremely satisfied with an exemplary long aftertaste of honey. If we stick to the facts, this fantastic champagne is composed from 18 villages, with the dominant parts as usual being Verzenay and Aÿ for Pinot Noir and Le Mesnil and Cramant for Chardonnay. It is notable that the dosage was kept to a record low 3 grams of sugar. My second bottle was a bit tighter than the first, so despite my 97 points from the start, it might be wise to wait six months before opening this already legendary wine. Given that we already have many years of experience with how beautifully the twin 1979 R.D. has developed and how well the wine has stood the test of time, my advice is to drink this gem between 2024–2030. Personally, I will even rather buy magnums that I will drink between 2027–2040." (97 pts. Richard Juhlin, Champagne Club, March 2025)

"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 per liter. I would give this a few more years in bottle to fully come together. Disgorged: October 28, 2022." (96 pts. Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Nov. 2023)

"The late-disgorged edition of La Grande Année 2008 continues to dazzle, showing beautifully controlled, promising evolution since its debut in 2023. Roasted hazelnut, brown pastry and buttery apricot tart hint at decadence, with the nut-milk creaminess and iodine-like notes of RD still held in check beneath the sheer force of the vintage’s drive and citric energy. A huge, buzzing finish promises longer life still for this show-stopping Champagne. 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay from the Montagne de Reims, Grande Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs, vinified in old oak barrels and disgorged by hand after 13 years on lees." (97 pts. Tom Hewson, Decanter, March 2024)

"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. Disgorged: November 2022. Dosage: 3g/L." (97 pts. Simon Field MW, Decanter, March 2023)


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Auction Info

Auction Dates
September, 2025
12th Friday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 38

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Sold on Sep 12, 2025 for: $2,583.00
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