When Bollinger opted not to make their legendary vintage R.D. from the 2016 harvest, all of that top-tier, low-yield Grand and Premier Cru fruit was redirected directly into this singular release. A unique, highly collectible blend of 73% Pinot Noir and 27% Chardonnay focused on the late-ripening terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, B16 bridges classic Bollinger muscle with unexpected floral elegance and structural focus.

Barrel-vinified, aged on the lees under natural cork for over seven years, and finished with a low dosage of 4g/L, it offers an ethereal profile of white peach, hawthorn, bergamot, and toasted brioche carried by a silky, chalk-driven texture and remarkable precision. It stands as an unrepeatable collector's anomaly from one of Champagne's greatest family-owned houses.

Critical Acclaim:

95 Points, Wine Spectator: 

"A rich range of black cherry coulis, grilled macadamia nut, poached peach, and crystallized honey and ginger is seamlessly knit with racy acidity and a chalky underpinning in this statuesque Champagne. On first sip, the graceful integration belies the depth and focus, but as this expands on the long, creamy finish, adding hints of lime blossoms, tangerine peel, graphite and brioche, all of its many attributes are on full display. Disgorged November 2024. Drink now through 2036."

94 Points, Wine Advocate:

" …  unwinds in the glass with aromas of yellow apple, mirabelle plum, honeysuckle and bergamot mingled with freshly baked bread and a faint hint of passion fruit. Full-bodied and elegantly muscular, the palate offers a rich, sweet core of fruit, racy acids and an animating pinpoint mousse, concluding with a long, enveloping finish. Vinified entirely in barrels, it comprises 27% Chardonnay and 73% Pinot Noir—principally from Bouzy, Tauxières, Verzy and Verzenay—and will reward additional aging on cork."

Why You’ll Love It:

• Redirected R.D. Pedigree: Crafted using the exact top-tier Grand and Premier Cru fruit originally intended for Bollinger’s unreleased 2016 R.D.

• Masterful Barrel Aging: 100% vinified in aged oak casks and cellared on the lees under natural cork for over seven years before disgorgement.

• Striking Balance & Precision: A rare 73% Pinot Noir / 27% Chardonnay blend finished at a crisp 4g/L dosage, combining rich, toasted brioche depth with high-toned floral and mineral freshness.

How to Serve It:

• Temperature: Serve slightly relaxed at 46-49F—avoid over-chilling to allow the oak complexity and subtle aromatics to unfold.

• Glassware: Pour into wide tulip-shaped Champagne glasses or standard white wine stems rather than narrow flutes.

• Pairings: Exceptional alongside roasted turbot, seared scallops in brown butter, or aged Comté cheese.