Bollinger R.D. 1990

A full-bodied, powerful Champagne featuring biscuit and ginger aromas and flavors, picking up a grilled nut character on the finish. Very firmly structured and dry, yet with the flavor intensity and fine texture to match, this is a tour de force. Endless finish.

Early budbreak and spring frosts. Second generation berries, post frosts, were picked in mid October. Exceptionally sunny summer and high sugars. 69% Pinot Noir, 16 villages, 67% grands crus. 11,963 kg/ha, dosage 0.4 g/l, initial potential alcohol 10.7%(!), TA 8.0 g/l . This was the first vintage shown in Paris that had not been shown in London a year earlier. What an extraordinary wine! Very deep gold. Very exotic nose of heady tropical fruits and flowers. Sweet candied orange peel nose and remarkably low acidity on the palate. Very charming now – suddenly into a wine on its plateau or even perhaps starting the gentle decline. Rich and alcoholic – very much the product of its vintage rather than the house.

Drink: now