James Bond couldn’t do without it. At the bar it was usually vodka martini, shaken, but for special occasions it had to be nothing less than Champagne. And not just any Champagne. As discerning as with his choice of cars, usually only one champagne would do – Bollinger. Perhaps you are also a long-standing aficionado of the Champagne wines from this family-run house that has guaranteed outstanding quality since 1892. Then you have the new Bollinger R.D. 2004 vintage Champagne to look forward to. You don't have to be 007 to know the pleasure it will bring with its subtle freshness, complex aromas and exceptional intensity...
It was a courageous step when Madame Lily Bollinger decided to deviate from the custom of the big Champagne houses in the 1960s and degorge (eliminate the fermentation sediment) even the old cuvées from particularly good vintages which had been laid down for years and introduce them to the market – these bottles had only been enjoyed with family and friends until then. When the first bottles of the Bollinger 'Réserve 1947' were launched in 1963, they left the shelves quickly, proving it to be another successful path. The company, based in the Champagne capital of Aÿ, has retained this tradition to this day and enjoys worldwide renown as a premium brand with first-class quality.
The 'Méthode traditionnelle' production i.e. bottle fermentation based on yeast and sugar additives, is followed consistently. Degorging takes place after the fermentation process. The bottle is immersed in an ice bath to bind the yeast and then opened. The resulting overpressure causes the iced yeast plug to shoot out and the bottle is filled back up with the dosage (addition to the Champagne to balance it out). However, despite all this tradition, it is still the innovative components that create the exceptional quality of Bollinger Champagnes, the legendary Bollinger style. This makes the house’s wine reserve system unique – almost 70,000 magnum bottles are stored as reserves every year. They come from the 174 hectares of vineyards,85 % of which are made up of Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites. This precious cuvée only uses the first pressing; in order to develop its perfect character and type, the wines are matured separately in oak barrels according to variety and position. Bollinger also takes a different approach to assemblage (combining the wines). Unlike most other champagne houses, the company uses only two different combinations whose proportions are the deciding factor for the unmistakable characteristics of sparkling wines. While the Special Cuvée assemblage is a masterpiece of the current year’s wines with added 'vins de réserve', the La Grande Année assemblage brings together the best facets of a year. With the Bollinger R.D. 2004 now being launched – R.D. stands for recently disgorged – such a vintage champagne has been created. A veritable experience for the senses has been developed thanks to 13 years of ageing on the yeast: with its bright, deep gold colour, intense fragrance reminiscent of candied fruits, nuts and sweet spices, with an explosive aroma of fruity apple pie and a full, harmonious finish. A true 'Skyfall' of enjoyment, so to speak, to which one will certainly say 'never say never'.
