Bollinger Extra Brut Champagne R.D. 2002

99 points James Suckling: "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. Disgorged 22nd October, 2013. Drink from 2016. (5/9/14)"

98 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(disgorged 17 May 2017; 40% chardonnay, 60% pinot; a blend of 16 grand crus and 7 premier crus; aged 14 years on lees; 3.5g/L dosage). The 2002 was an exhilarating LGA of driving energy and a razor edge of structure that barely evolved across the years of its release cycle. It naturally makes for a brilliant and enduring R.D. that is maturing every bit as slowly and magnificently as we had hoped. It holds a brilliance of light through its now full yellow-gold hue, upholding youthful dynamism and focus, still reflecting brilliant lemon freshness and wonderful tension. Projecting all the exuberance of pinot noir’s red cherry and plum fruits, it strikes a wonderful interplay with the mixed spice of barrel fermentation and the integration of 17 years of age, creating creamy depth amidst tightly honed focus. The rising depth of powerful maturity billows with all the layers of brioche, toffee, dark chocolate, dried peach and crystallised orange that we love from Bollinger, concluding in epic line and persistence that promise many years of stamina yet. (2020-2021)"

97 points La Revue du Vin de France: "The 2002 is the latest in the RD millesime collection. RD stands for récemment dégorgé. Disgorging is the process of expelling yeast and other impurities from champagne once it has finished fermenting in the bottle. This means that RD is a champagne that has aged for more than thirteen years in the cellar, but on its lees, and that the wine is purified just before release to preserve its freshness. The 2002 therefore (disgorged September 18, 2013) does indeed retain a fresh density, a natural restraint, a carnivorous saltiness; qualities familiar from this great year but highlighted in this selection. To be cellared for 3 to 4 years at least. (2015)"

97 points and '100 Best Wines of the Year (2015),' Wine & Spirits: "[$375 list] ... If you break it apart you might consider how the barrel-aged base wines from 23 crus intensify the structure, or how the acidity of the vintage has sustained the bright, buzzing freshness of the peach and apple flavors. The fruit seems to be wedded to rock, so strong is the chalk streak of limestone. And yet the resonance of the wine, subsuming any and all of those factors, brings it together in a sumptuous texture, making it a pleasure to drink even now. It’s more sensible, however, to wait. In ten years, this should begin to fulfill its promise, at the start of its prime. (Dec 2014)"

96 points Wine Spectator: "A fine example of power married to elegance, this is impeccably balanced, with a mouthwatering palate of crème de cassis, toasted brioche, fleur de sel and crystallized honey flavors. The rich, smoky underpinning is carried on a finely detailed bead. Disgorged March 2014. Drink now through 2030. 200 cases imported. (8/26/15)"

96 points (19/20), Decanter: "The sheer energy, bold complexity and shimmering minerality of La Grande Année 2002 finds even greater focus and honed definition with half the dosage and another few years on lees. One of Champagne's youngest late-disgorged releases, it begs for another decade for its full magnificence to emerge. Drink: 2022-2037. Alcohol 12%. (Jul 2014)"

96 points Jeb Dunnuck: "A wine that really needs time in the glass to show at its best, Bollinger’s 2002 RD comes from a total 23 different crus (71% being Grand Cru) and is a 60/40 split of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged in 2013 after spending 11 years in bottle, it offers a dry, savory style that quickly morphs toward more stone fruits, toasted nuts, dried earth and exotic spices. Deep, pure, and incredibly chiseled on the palate, with a gorgeous texture and great finish, this is a Champagne I’d decant if drinking anytime soon. The dosage is in the 3-4 grams range, and while it’s certainly on the dry/savory end of the spectrum, it offers incredible complexity and depth. Drink: 2018-2038. (3/15/18)"

96 points Falstaff: "Hints of yeast, lime-tree blossom and redcurrant, very closed. With aeration, scents of iodine, chalky notes, spicy-mineral nuances and a hint of wood. Traction and tension on the palate, gripping, very dry, mineral backbone, medium-fine mousse, vivid, expeditiously tense with a lingering crowning touch. Precise, with further ageing potential. Disgorged: 22. 10. 2013. (11/21/14)"

95-96 points Essi Avellan, MW: "(60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay). It has been a long wait for R.D. fans since the 1997 vintage, which was followed by only minuscule amounts of 1999 and 2000 coming in large formats only. Now there is a chance to celebrate 50 years of R.D. with the outstanding 2002 vintage. It is a bold, fresh and seamless vintage of R.D. with the higher than usual Chardonnay content bringing an extra layer of elegance. I enjoy the drive and linearity the wine has despite the huge concentration. The October 2013 disgorged bottle has been the best with super-stylish with its mineral restraint and autumnal. Apple and spice fruit profile with an under-control oxidative undertone. Perfected, super dry 3g/l dosage. In 2019 the nose surprised with it sweetly fruity tones, honeycomb, brioche and vanilla. The moderate oxidative characters are well in sync with the lushness and drive of the wine. In an attractive drinking age right now, but still on its way up. Feels much sweeter than dosage would suggest. (12/2019) Tasted 8/2022 the wine had moved fairly little with the super sweet fruitiness still leading the way. The oxidative notes were very much in the background and the sweet apricot, honey and exotic spices on the fore. No hurry with this one but perfectly delicious now. (Aug 2022)"