Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 245 NV (Half Bottle)

Description

Awarded the highest score in the ‘Classics Category’ in Decanter’s Wines of the Year 2023 . ‘It’s a real benchmark for the category – what more could you want?" said the judges.

Founded in 1776, and property of the same family since 1819, Champagne Louis Roederer is today one of the last major Champagne houses to be an independent family affair. The annual production of its wines (Collection, Carte Blanche, Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, Cristal, Cristal Rosé) represents just over three million bottles, distributed to 100 countries worldwide. Champagne Louis Roederer owns just over 240 hectares of vineyard located in the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. Each vineyard is situated in the finest site, of which 90% are Grand Cru and Premier Cru classified. The house uses 100% of its own grapes for vintage styles, and 60% for the Collection blend. Such a high proportion of estate-grown grapes is unusual in Champagne, ensuring superior quality at all stages from grape to glass. 5% of the wines are matured in oak casks with weekly batonnage. 10% of the reserve wines are matured in casks with partial malolactic fermentation.

This 245th blend from the Louis Roederer Champagne House is based on the year 2020 which followed a similar trajectory to that of 2019 with a mild and rainy winter followed by a dry summer with several heatwaves which, although less extreme than in 2019, still had an impact on the vine. Fortunately, the weather was rather dull and a bit wet in June which gave us a welcome humid interlude between two dry spells. Despite our impressions of relentless heat and sunshine, the temperatures and sunshine levels over the 2020 harvest period were actually relatively normal. These continental conditions, but with “normal ” annual averages, enabled the production of mature and well-balanced wines!

A bouquet of yellow fruits (nectarine) and ripe, concentrated citrus (lemon) complemented by sweet notes of petals, pollen, sugared almonds and wheat. We find an impressively ripe, complex and intense fruit which elevates the pure and intense bouquet interwoven with smoky overtones. The palate is velvety, unctuous, rich and juicy. The bubbles have an almost saline character to them and coat the palate with a broad and concentrated texture. The wine reveals an exceptional balance between structure and a crisp, powdery, saline chalky freshness. Smoky and slightly oaky notes linger on a deliciously well-honed finish..