Bollinger R.D. 1996

Key points at a glance

R.D. is now entering its second drinking window, after having been closed for a long time and dominated by yeasty notes and pronounced acidity. It is incredibly concentrated. It is becoming fuller and fuller, allowing it to integrate the acidity ever better. More and more aromas of grilled hazelnuts and truffles are emerging.

It is best to open the bottle the evening before, pour a small glass and reseal it. If using Coravin, it is better to do so without gas. It will continue to improve steadily and reach its peak in about fifteen years.

This bottle was disgorged on 8 June 2007 with only 4 g/l dosage. The fill level, colour, label and capsule are perfect.

The 1996 vintage

1996 is a vintage that combines perfect ripeness with low yields and extremely high acidity levels. Under these conditions it was quickly hailed as a vintage of the century.

Weather pattern 1996

• Winter & Spring: Very cold and wet – frost damage in some vineyards.
• June/July: Very warm and dry – perfect flowering.
• August: Heat, drought and north-easterly winds → very small berries, high concentration.
• September: Cool nights, sunny days, perfect acidity retention.
• Harvest period: 9–18 September.

Characteristics of the 1996 vintage

• Acidity structure: Extremely high and racy.
• Ripeness & concentration: Very high aromatic concentration.
• Alcohol: 11.5–12.5%.
• Drinking window today: 2025–2050+.
• Typical style: Powerful, mineral, taut, enormous length.

Drinking window and ageing potential of Récemment Dégorgé

After a closed phase, the second drinking window begins ten to twenty years after disgorgement, offering the true peak of the R.D. experience.

This second drinking window can last up to thirty years. Even after fifty years, great vintages still show remarkable quality.