R.D. 2002

The wine in this vintage

2002 ranks among the great Champagne vintages of the new century: a warm, dry summer without extremes delivered perfectly ripe, healthy grapes, with a rare balance of richness and freshness. In Bollinger R.D. 2002, disgorged after a very long rest on the lees, that material speaks with impressive depth: toasted hazelnut, chestnut honey, candied fruit, spice and hints of white truffle over a still-fresh citrus core. James Suckling gave it 99 points and Jancis Robinson 18.5/20. The palate is broad and layered, with remarkable persistence. This Champagne has now reached full maturity and is at its best moment to be enjoyed in all its complexity.

The producer · Bollinger

Founded in Aÿ in 1829, Bollinger remains one of the very few great Champagne houses that is still independent and family-owned. Its modern identity bears the stamp of Madame Lily Bollinger, who ran the house from 1941 to 1971, famously cycling through the vineyards and instilling an uncompromising culture of quality. The house farms a substantial estate of its own, largely rated Grand and Premier Cru, with Pinot Noir from Aÿ, Verzenay and Bouzy as the backbone of its style. Tradition here is a working method rather than a slogan: a significant share of the wines is fermented in small, seasoned oak casks looked after by an in-house cooper, reserve wines are kept in magnums under cork, and lees ageing is long. The result is vinous, deep Champagne with an almost still-wine texture and the ability to age for decades. Its flagship cuvées, La Grande Année, R.D. and the rare Vieilles Vignes Françaises from ungrafted vines, are benchmarks for serious collectors.

Critics' scores

• 99 James Suckling
• 96 Wine Spectator
• 18.5/20 Jancis Robinson
• 92 Robert Parker

Technical details

Producer

Bollinger

Region

Champagne

Country

Francia

Type

Bollicine

Vintage

2002

When to drink

At its peak

Critics' average

95.7/100

Sizes

75 cl, Magnum 150 cl, Case of 6 × 75 cl

eWibe code

0090102