Description

james suckling

Super fresh, this is striking given the 10 years in the cellars; it has a fine citrus nose - plenty of lemon, grapefruit, yellow chalky notes, some lighter floral elements too. The palate is super dry (dosage at 3-4g) and there's a silky, sherbet-like texture, smooth, fine and long. The citrus flavours give way to the driving surging acidity, thunderous acidity, really driving and powerful. The finish twists very slowly through to light-toasted cashew fruit flavours, but lemon citrus prevails. This is thrilling Champagne. Disgorged 22nd October, 2013. Drink from 2016.

wilfred wong of wine.com

Bollinger R.D. turned out to be my wine of the evening as I tasted a star-studded cast of the world's greatest wines at the 12 Annual Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting. The 2002 became a magical experience when paired with freshly shucked oysters from the Hog Island Oyster Bay Company. R.D. and I became frozen in time while everyone fought to get more wine and posing for selfies. Champagne on the highest of pedestal. James Bond (007) would have been so proud. Deep yellow golden color; delicate and refined mousse; tremendous aroma of creamy apples and subtle citrus, medium to full bodied, layered and satiny smooth on the palate; long and enticing; dry, fine acidity, well balanced; creamy, ripe core fruit flavors, with a special interplay between fruit, earth and oak; long finish, delicate and refined in the aftertaste. (Tasted: October 20, 2015, San Francisco, CA)

wine & spirits

When we tasted the 2002 Grande Année in 2012, I scored it 95 points, impressed by its pale chalk power, its muscularity and the freshness it expressed as a ten-year-old wine. It had the scent of a sunny meadow. With two years of additional time on the lees and a lower dosage, the current R.D. version of that wine is more extreme. If you break it apart you might consider how the barrel-aged base wines from 23 crus intensify the structure, or how the acidity of the vintage has sustained the bright, buzzing freshness of the peach and apple flavors. The fruit seems to be wedded to rock, so strong is the chalk streak of limestone. And yet the resonance of the wine, subsuming any and all of those factors, brings it together in a sumptuous texture, making it a pleasure to drink even now. It’s more sensible, however, to wait. In ten years, this should begin to fulfill its promise, at the start of its prime.

wine spectator

A racehorse of a Champagne, showing ample power in a sleek, harmonious package. This is structured by firm, steely acidity, seamlessly woven with concentrated layers of roast almond, crushed black raspberry, candied kumquat and ginger, fleur de sel and pastry flavors. Mouthwatering, with a lasting, spiced finish. Disgorged October 22, 2013. Drink now through 2030.

decanter

A closed, grassy nose at first but underneath there's a restrained beautiful sophistication and youthful charm. Distinct but faint RD tones towards mushroom truffle and mineral saltiness. Slowly booming in the glass and not unlike a young RD 1975, so at some point this wine will breathe sweetest chocalte and nut symphony.

vivino