2017 Louis Roederer Brut Vintage Rosé
The Wine Advocate
RP 91
Reviewed by: Kristaps Karklins
Release Price: NA
Drink Date: 2025 - 2032
Incorporating “the survivors of 2017,” as Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon notes, Roederer’s 2017 Brut Vintage Rosé is a fine effort in a year that was particularly challenging for red grapes, which were pressured by gray rot come harvest time. Heavily based on Pinot Noir, with fruit carefully selected during picking in Cumières, complemented by Chardonnay sourced from Chouilly, it offers a bouquet of strawberries, candied orange zest and spices. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, textural and ample, with a delicate infusion of Pinot Noir phenolics, vibrant acidity and a sapid finish. Disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage, it does not quite match the precision of its immediate predecessor.
Published: Apr 11, 2025
NV Louis Roederer Brut Collection 245
The Wine Advocate
RP 92
Reviewed by: Kristaps Karklins
Release Price: NA
Drink Date: 2025 - 2033
Based on the 2020 vintage, Louis Roederer’s NV Brut Collection 245 is stylistically somewhat comparable to the two previous editions, which were based on the 2018 and 2019 vintages. Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon explains that the personality of the wine will change depending on the base year. By identifying the wine with a number, they do not intend to produce the same profile year in and year out, but rather, they will embrace the singularity of each vintage, accepting the different personalities of the base year. It is complemented by a perpetual reserve initiated in 2012, which is stored in large tanks without lees; the reserve provides balance to the warm years like this, as the perpetual component did not go through malolactic fermentation. While a considerable portion of the fruit comes from Louis Roederer's own estates, for this bottling, the blend incorporates purchased fruit as well, particularly Pinot Meunier, which they do not own. Including approximately 43% Chardonnay, the new Brut Collection offers notes of pear, peach and candied orange zest. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied, textural and fleshy, laden with vibrant acidity and concluding with a nicely defined, delicately saline finish, even with 7.5 grams per liter dosage.
Published: Apr 11, 2025
2016 Louis Roederer Brut Blanc de Blancs
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Release Price: NA
Drink Date: 2023 - 2036
Produced from four plots in Avize, the 2016 Brut Blanc de Blancs was disgorged in February 2022 with seven grams per liter dosage. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil and peach mingled with toasted almonds, buttery pastry, iodine and white flowers, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a deep and layered core of fruit, racy acids and a long, succulent finish, it stands out once again as the insider's choice in the Roederer range.
Published: Dec 15, 2023
2014 Louis Roederer Cristal
The Wine Advocate
RP 96
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Release Price: NA
Drink Date: 2021 - 2050
The 2014 Cristal is a terrific effort that transcends the vintage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, nectarine, white flowers, freshly baked bread and subtle hints of honeycomb, it's medium to full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an exuberant core of fruit that's girdled by racy acids, resulting in a wine that's simultaneously chiseled and demonstrative, meaning that early appeal doesn't come at the expense of the requisite tension for long-term cellaring. Concluding with a long, aromatic and intensely chalky finish, it is a brilliant Champagne that will offer a broad drinking window. This bottle was disgorged in June 2021 with seven grams per liter dosage.
Published: Feb 03, 2022