1979 Bollinger R.D.
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Tasting notes
From a bottle disgorged in 2016, the 1979 Extra-Brut R. D. is the fruit of an early October harvest, and it contains the highest percentage of Pinot Noir ever recorded for this cuvée to date. Offering up complex aromas of grilled peaches, walnuts, coffee, orange oil, saffron and toast, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a vinous mid-palate, ripe but racy acids and a beautifully refined mousse, concluding with a telltale bone-dry finish. Elegantly muscular and intensely sapid, the 1979 R. D. exemplifies the greatness of mature Bollinger.
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Served blind at the launch dinner for Bollinger RD 2008; 1979 was chef de cave Denis Bunner's birth year. It was based on grapes with only 9.2% potential alcohol (much lower than nowadays). TA 9 g/l. Deep gold and very dry. Yeasty nose with a note of mint toffees. Pungent. Long with some richness on the palate before the very dry finish. Very Bolly! (JR)
Disgorged 7 March 2011. Vines affected by various pests and diseases. Late budburst. Harvest began early October. 75% Pinot Noir. 22 villages. 64% grands crus. Yield 11,061 kg/ha, initial potential alcohol 9.25%, TA 8.75 g/l . Another vintage not shown in London in 2010. Deep gold. Rich, intense, nose with real maturity (though no decline) on it. Not that much mousse and relatively unobtrusive acidity. Very eloquent and beautifully balanced, At its peak surely but there is no sign of decline. Very lively and beautifully balanced. Round, and really rather gentle. (JR)
Bollinger's 1979 R.D. (magnum, disgorged 1998) was an especially haunting, ethereal wine that floated on palate with remarkable grace.
About the producer
Bollinger is one of the most renowned and coveted Champagne Houses in the world, famous for its Pinot-Noir-dominant wines, in particular La Grande Année and the rare Vieilles Vignes Françaises (from pre-phylloxera vines).