Louis Roederer Collection 244 Brut Champagne

Collection 244 is a 100% biodynamic brut champagne, made with 54% of 2019 base wine. It is the 244th blend of the house since its establishment in 1776.

Louis Roederer is blurring the lines between vintage and non-vintage champagne as each year, the house will release their brut champagne with a new name and a different base wine. Following Collection 244 and its 2019 base wine will be Collection 245 with a 2020 base wine.

By adding 36% of perpetuelle reserve and 10% of Roederer reserve wine aged in oak, the house is able to maintain freshness that is reminiscent of the vintage Blanc de blancs.

To the Eye: Bright, golden hue with shimmering highlights. Fine, lively mousse with lingering threads of bubbles.

The Nose: The bouquet is open and rich yet also wonderfully fresh. It offers an explosion of ripe, delicate fruit (wild peaches and pears) combined with citrus (lemons and blood oranges). The iodised and smokey notes associated the ageing in the wood, add aromatic freshness.Then come the notes of chalk and a hint of reduction, suggests that the wine will be concentrated and powerful.

The Palate: The palate is deep and dense with a big, well-structured backbone. The texture is simply mesmerising with its fleshy mouthfeel from the Pinot noir that coats the palate before giving way to an incredible saline freshness with a pleasant hint of bitterness. This wine combines the strength, intensity and power of the delectably ripe Pinot noirs which are balanced to perfection by the chalky freshness and density from the Chardonnay which forms the majority of the blend.

This house has serious pedigree and a long history of making outstanding wines. Roederer is still family owned and run and has a significant land holding of over 230 hectares allowing them to supply 70% of their grape requirements with excellent fruit. We are impressed by Louis Roederer’s increasing commitment to exploring biodynamics both with treatment of their vast vineyard holdings plus the recent acquisition of a 15 hectare biodynamic parcel from Leclerc Briant. A relatively small 3 million bottles per annum of production are exported, largely to the USA.

Collection 244 consists of 41%Chardonnay, 33% Pinot noir and 26% Meunier.

Grape varieties originate from one third "La Rivière" vineyards, one third "La Montagne" vineyards and one third "La Côte" vineyards.

Collection 244 is a blend of:

54% 2019 Base wine.

36% Perpetual reserve (a blend of 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 vintages).

10% Reserve wine aged in oak (signature of Louis Roederer - vintages 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018).

7g/L dosage. 3 years ageing.

Finesse and power are juxtaposed in this stunning cuvee. Enjoy this wine on its own or serve with an almond crusted halibut fish drizzled with a garlic and lemon sauce.