Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Vintage

Wine information: Established in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer is one of the few remaining completely independent, family owned Champagne houses. By 1886 the House had achieved such a reputation for quality that the second Louis Roederer was asked by Tsar Alexander II to create Cristal for the exclusive use of the Russian Tsars, and in so doing created the first Cuvée de Prestige. Roederer owns just over 200 hectares of vineyards located in the finest areas of Champagne - Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. Each vineyard is situated in the finest sites, with the plots ranking between 95% and 100% on the Echelle des Crus. This makes Roederer self sufficient for 100% of its vintage styles. Such a high proportion of ‘estate’ grapes is very unusual in Champagne, and ensures superior quality at all stages from grape to glass. Fascinated by the diversity of aromatic expression of the Pinot noir grape in Champagne, Louis Roederer decided to base the Vintage Brut on the structure and power of the Pinot Noirs of the Montagne de Reims, where the north-northeast facing vines are slower to ripen. In 1850, Roederer decided to buy more than 15 hectares of prime Verzenay vineyards. Thirty percent of the wine is matured in oak casks with weekly batonnage. There is no malolactic fermentation. Vintage Brut is matured for at least four years in the cellars and rested for six months after disgorgement to finish it perfectly. A dosage of between 8 and 10 g/l is adapted to each vintage. The blend for the Vintage Brut is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay.

Tasting Notes: Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Vintage has golden tones with light amber highlights, typical of Champagne with a high proportion of Pinot Noir. It has an exuberant mousse with a lively stream of bubbles. The nose is subtle - nutty-citrus nose, scents of orange and hazelnuts punctuated by those warm, fruity notes typical of predominantly wood-aged Pinot Noir. Swirling the glass releases a flurry of richer, riper fragrances: crystallized fruit, baked apples, toast, Tarte Tatin and caramel. The palate is characteristically vintage Roederer: deep and full on first attack, showing rich, rounded vinosity but with all the refined sweetness, acidity and tight-knit texture of Pinot Noir fruit from the Verzenay vineyard. Perfectly integrated overall, with an elegant, almost feminine feel and flavours that evolve towards the sweet, palate-caressing texture of candied fruit, marzipan, toast, white chocolate and caramel. A classic vintage Brut: all the traditional flavours of Champagne expressed with a refinement, precision, purity and harmony that is quintessentially Roederer.

Reviews: "The 2004 Brut emerges from the glass with attractive layers of fruit that come together in a gorgeous expression of perfumed fruit. This silky, textured and totally finessed Champagne is another impeccable wine from Roederer." 90 Points, The Wine Advocate - Antonio Galloni - December 2009

"An open jazz riff on white limestone, this is so dry, austere and sumptuous that it defines umami. Cool, rich, mineral, mouthwatering. Pretty smart vintage Champagne: It's powerful in its flavor depth, though not as wildly powerful as Cristal." 95 Points, Wine & Spirits - Joshua Greene - December 2011

 
     

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