Sounds like they haven’t changed much in the last decade
WK gave the 2007 a 97, so basically the same as the 2008.
The '08 might be different though. The one time I had it it was not oxidative at all. Drank more like Salon than Selosse.
I saw that. Maybe it is shut-down now.
I ended up pulling the trigger on a 6 pack of 2008. Will decide down the road if I keep it or offload.
With a review like it has and short supply of the original release GA, it is a safe bet for a 6-pack.
It is crazy. Most of the dealers were sold out within the first few hours. There are a handful that still have it listed at the release price but don’t think they actually have the stock. Secondary market already has it at $320.
I had the 02 recently which was nice. Way back in the day I had a 96? It was real good
I guess it really was a safe bet. ![]()
The demand for '08 Champagne in the UK is really high. I bet a lot of it is speculative too.
Hmmm. Maybe I shouldn’t have declined my offer.
Did you like the 02 we had last nov?
Quality wine, but not really my style I don’t think.
Yeah you aren’t a huge Selosse fan either IIRC.
While I haven’t had any RD (or even GA) what made me pull the trigger was that I do like Selosse (and that secondary market is always there as an out).
Definitely paying for the hype around the vintage. BUT, the hype is not unwarranted. The 2008 La Grande Annee is my personal fav Champagne. I am far from a Champagne expert, and my preference leans heavily towards Bollinger stylistically. Personally I prefer LGA over DP, Cristal or CdC, but even when it comes to Bollinger’s LGA, the 2008 was a pretty clear favorite for me over the 2012 and 2014. Time will tell on the 2012 though. @William_Kelley thinks the 2012 may do better with age if I recall correctly.
Sadly, I have never had the RD Extra Brut and own only 1 bottle of the 2004, so unless I go buy some more, I do not foresee myself opening it too soon.
Chez Bollinger, I think 2008 is clearly > 2012 and 2014.
For Cristal, 2008 and 2012 are close and I’d vote for 2013 over 2008.
This choice with regards to Cristal has more to do with the producer’s evolution than the vintages themselves.
Zachy’s special release pricing email today:
2008 R.D. - $425
2014 GA - $149
GA is fine but RD seems to be priced very steeply.
Also, I dont see a huge quality difference on good vintages of the RD vs GA. I’ve had the '90s side by side a couple times as well as the side by side 1996s and 2002s, and I only see huge differences early on and in weaker vintages. As they mature, I feel like they come closer. At $425, I’d much rather just get another 4 btls of '08 GA vs 2 bottles of the RD.
Heard in the next 4 weeks Bollinger will release a new disgorgement of RD 2008 with extended time on lees.