Description
Region: Champagne, France
Vintage: 2008
Grape: 71% Pinot Noir and 29% Chardonnay
Size: 75CL
Notes:
Quick Glance:
To the eye: a wine glimmering with golden reflections.
To the nose: Enticing aromas of marzipan, stewed apricots, honey and breadcrumbs accompany fresh notes of bergamot.
On the palate: A rich, precise mousse. Citrus notes are followed by flavours of Mirabelle plums and vine peaches. A very vivaciours wine which unfolds to reveal exceptional complexity. Notes of fresh hazelnuts and salinity combine to create an intense, everlasting finish.
Story of R.D:
Created in 1952, R.D. stands for “recently disgorged.” R.D. 2008 is sourced from a total of 18 crus, 84% of which are Grand Cru and 16% of which are Premier Cru.
The custom was that these old wines were especially disgorged only a very short time before being tasted, so that those invited could share a perfect moment when the wine, disgorged just recently, would offer an extraordinary contrast of freshness and complexity from age.
Predominantly from Ay and Verzenay for Pinot Noir, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant for Chardonnay. 84% of the vineyards are Grands Crus and 16% Premiers Crus. Only the cuvée or first press is used. R.D. is vinified 100% in older oak barrels, specifically used 228 liter barrels and 400 liter casks that are up to 40 years old. The wine remains in barrel for 6 months, undergoing both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrel, a point of distinction from the minute remaining producers who do ferment in barrel. The wine is then bottled under cork to undergo its secondary fermentation, rather than crown capsule. As a result, every bottle has to be hand-riddled and hand-disgorged.
After 14 years on the lees, the wine is given a dosage of only 3 grams per liter, making it Extra Brut.