Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
150cl * 12% ABV * Champagne, France
The company we now know as Louis Roederer was founded in 1776 as Dubois Pere & Fils, changing its name in 1833 when the young Louis inherited the estate from his uncle. The house is perhaps best-known for Cristal (bottled in clear crystal and with a flat punt), their prestige cuvee that became famous due to its associations with the Russian Imperial Court. The grapes for the whole range of Roederer Champagnes are largely sourced from their own vineyards, which guarantees that only the highest quality fruit is used in the final blend.
You may be wondering where the Brut Reserve NV has gone? And what these cryptic numbers refer to? Well, Roederer has replaced the Brut Reserve NV with this new multi-vintage blend, using incredibly high-end fruit (usually reserved for Cristal) to start building up what they call the Perpetual Reserve. This Perpetual Reserve is topped up each year and only reductively oxidised, keeping the wine fresher than multi vintages separately vinified and then blended.
'Dried-lemon, apricot, green-apple, salted-almond, walnut and light caramel notes. Vinous and layered, with small and tight bubbles. Excellent focus and intensity. Based on 2018, with reserve wines going back to 2009. Dosage 8g/L. Drink now.' 94pts - James Suckling