The new style and character of Louis Roederer's flagship champagne. They have discontinued their most popular “Brut Premier NV” and replaced it with a new, annually changing “Louis Roederer Collection 243” – a multi-vintage blend.
The aroma is bright and fresh. Notes of ripe fruit – plum (from ‘Pinot Noir’) – are perceived, complemented by lemon, meringue, and jasmine notes (from ‘Chardonnay’). Later, autolytic notes emerge – toasted nuts, freshly baked brioche, and a subtle smokiness. On the palate, the champagne is deep, dense, with excellent structure, and a long finish that is mineral, gently saline, and pleasantly bitter.
The 245th blend of Louis Roederer is crafted from the exceptionally fine 2020 vintage. That year was dry and warm, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly, becoming succulent, aromatic, and possessing good structure. As a result, the wines are rich, full-bodied, and perfectly balanced.
The 245th is made from 35% ‘réserve perpetuelle’, 55% of the finest wines from the 2020 vintage, and 10% reserve wines aged in oak (from 2013-2019). The ‘réserve perpetuelle’ lends the champagne more breadth, depth, a fleshier and more complex texture, while the young vintage provides freshness and elegance.
Dosage - 7g/l.
Serve at 8-10°C with roasted asparagus with Parmesan, chicken skewers with lemon, seafood risotto.
Restrained green apple, lemon bush and lime, plus light brioche and chalk. Medium to full body with fine, nicely persistent bubbles and good substance on the mid-palate. Almost biting yet polished at the end, with long, refreshing acidity. Lacks a bit of complexity at the moment, but fresh. Best from 2025
The Louis Roederer Champagne House, established in 1776 in Reims, France, has been crafting top-quality champagne, esteemed worldwide, for over 240 years. This independent, family-owned house gained fame for creating the legendary "Cristal prestige cuvee." To this day, the company's management remains in the hands of the family, with the seventh-generation representative, Frédéric Rouzaud, currently at the helm. Louis Roederer distinguishes itself by producing the majority of its champagnes exclusively from grapes grown in its own vineyards, a significant portion of which are located in prestigious Grand Cru territories.
Unique Louis Roederer Champagne Style
Louis Roederer champagnes are characterized by their elegance, subtlety, perfect balance, and aging potential. Great emphasis is placed on the highest quality grapes from their own vineyards and a meticulous winemaking process.
Brut Premier: The flagship multi-vintage champagne of the house, known for its balanced flavor and elegance. It is a harmonious blend of approximately 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier.
Vintage: A vintage champagne produced in exceptional years, typically dominated by Pinot Noir (around 70%) and complemented by Chardonnay (around 30%). It exhibits complexity and aging potential.
Blanc de Blancs: A 100% Chardonnay champagne, distinguished by its minerality, elegance, and freshness.
Rosé Vintage: An elegant rosé champagne, usually made from Pinot Noir (around 70%) with a small amount of Chardonnay (around 30%). It offers notes of red berries and flowers.
Cristal: The prestigious cuvée, created specifically for Tsar Alexander II, made only from the best vintages of Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot Noir (around 60%) grapes. It is known for its impeccable balance, elegance, and aging potential.
Cristal Rosé: A luxurious rosé version of Cristal, produced using the saignée method from Pinot Noir (around 55%) and Chardonnay (around 45%) grapes.
Prestigious Louis Roederer Vineyards
Louis Roederer owns an impressive 240 hectares of vineyards, most of which are located in Grand Cru and Premier Cru areas.
Montagne de Reims: Renowned for high-quality Pinot Noir grapes, which provide structure and strength to the champagnes.
Côte des Blancs: Famous for elegant and mineral Chardonnay grapes.
Vallée de la Marne: Contributes to the complexity of the champagnes with Pinot Meunier grapes.
Their own vineyards allow Louis Roederer to strictly control the quality of the grapes and ensure the distinctiveness of their champagnes.
Aging and Best Time to Enjoy
Louis Roederer champagnes are aged for a long time in cellars, giving them more complexity and subtlety. Even the basic Brut Premier is aged for several years. Vintage and prestige cuvée champagnes, such as Cristal, are aged even longer, gaining exceptional depth and elegance. These champagnes have excellent aging potential and can be enjoyed both young and mature.
