Bollinger’s 1982 R.D., disgorged in 1995, makes for a great palate cleanser. Mature, but with enough freshness to drink well for at least another handful of years, the 1982 is a fabulous example of just how well Champagne can age with proper storage. Hints of almond, chamomile, mint, dried pear and baked apple leave a lasting impression in this super-polished, silky Bollinger. The 1982 retains quite a bit of freshness, especially considering it was disgorged more than a decade ago.

Offering up complex aromas of mandarin, iodine, mocha, dried fruits, vine smoke and spices, Bollinger's 1982 Extra-Brut R. D. is full-bodied, pillowy and layered, with a fleshy core of fruit, lively acids and a long, chalky, intensely sapid finish. Muscular and vinous, it's the result of a late September harvest of a clean, ripe crop that was picked during light rain. The blend is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.