Champagne Louis Roederer was established in 1776 and is now run by the 7th generation of the family, Frédéric Rouzaud. With over 240 hectares of vineyards located exclusively in the Grands and Premiers Crus villages, Champagne Louis Roederer is self-sufficient for approximately 70% of their non-vintage production and 100% of their vintage champagnes.
Pioneers in sustainable farming, Louis Roederer use organic practices in all their vineyards, and are certified organic in 135 hectares, with the remainder of the estate in conversion. The whole estate uses regenerative, renaissance viticulture and sustainable practices that are inspired by the concepts of permaculture. Working hand in hand with nature, respecting terroir and the pursuit of taste underpins everything they do.
The Pinot Noir is from the Grand Cru of Verzy, Roederer’s most historic vineyard sites, and the Chardonnay is from the Grand Cru of Chouilly.
The blend is 68% Pinot noir and 32% Chardonnay. 33% of the wine was fermented in oak. It went through 5% malolactic fermentation and has a dosage of 7g/l.
Harvest took place from 15 September to 1 October 2016
The 2016 vintage was characterised by particularly marked weather variations: spring was cool, wet and relatively late whereas summer was warm and dry with a heatwave in late August followed by dry and sunny weather over the harvest period which was highly beneficial to the ripening of the grapes. Our Pinot noirs thrived in these dry, sunny conditions and the heat has given them an intensely fruity character and silky smooth texture. The Chardonnays are just as outstanding although more chiselled and saline in character.
This 2016 Vintage is a vibrant tribute to the Pinot noir from La Montagne. Since the 2013 vintage, we have been striving to achieve this singular expression of the Verzy Pinot noir originating from the finest vines bought by Louis Roederer back in the mid-19th century
The gently toasted and powdery bouquet discloses a blend of ripe, sweet, juicy red fruit (Burlat cherry and redcurrant jam foam), candied, roasted citrus fruit, and dried hazelnuts wrapped in soft roasted notes. After a short aeration, the wine reveals notes of a more mineral nature: warm, damp chalk and calcareous millstone heated by the sun.
The palate is complex, generous and kaleidoscope, It commences with a juicy, creamy body in which the ripe fruit comes through again in the form of nectarine. It is like biting into the fruit! The creamy, silky bubbles dance lightly across the palate and tongue, drawing out and lengthening the creamy substance leaving a rich yet translucent imprint. We have the impression of completeness created by some mineral and textured elements, which are underpinned by spicy, oaky, powdery and almost camphorous notes. The finish is long, textured, saline and sapid.
Champagne, France
68% Pinot noir
32% Chardonnay
Cork
12.5%
7g/l
