BollingerR.D. 2002

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.

Very firm, savoury nose with Bollinger´s trademark fungi. Very powerfully so but with excellent acidity and lift on the palate. This is touted as a 50th anniversary offering because the first RD (Recently Disgorged) vintage released on the UK market was the 1952, in 1967 (so it was three years older than this 2002). It was launched at the same time as the 1953 on the French and Swiss markets and the 1955 on the American and Italian markets. A nod to British taste for seriously mature champagne? This wine should not be served too cool. It has real weight - though does not taste heavy. I loved it on first release as Grande Année and it is less austere now. A bit mellower and more open though still with the deep throat salve sensation on the finish.

The sheer energy, bold complexity and shimmering minerality of La Grande Anée 2002 finds even greater focus and honed definition with half the dosage and another few years on the lees. One of Champagne´s youngest late-disgorged releases, it begs for another decade for its full magnificence to emerge

2002 visar underbara blyga toner av persika och honung. Den har inte utvecklat de typiska R.D.-dragen riktigt ännu. I doften är den dock förväntat rik med generösa drag av Champignon de Paris(!), Verzenay-dominerad, stringent arombild med röda äppelskal. I smaken är vinet redan från start vackert balanserad och harmonisk. Detta är en champagne som växer betydligt om man antingen dekanterar den eller serverar den i Bourgogneglas. (Björnstierne Antonson)