Champagne Louis Roederer - Vintage 2013

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Founded in Reims in 1776, Roederer still belongs to the same family, represented today by Frédéric Rouzaud. In recent years, it has been a pioneer, being the first to gradually convert its vast 242-hectare vineyard to organic and biodynamic farming (126 hectares). Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, an eminent cellar master and agronomist, never ceases to impress with his intimate knowledge of each parcel of the estate and the choices he makes. Cristal, an exceptional prestige cuvée, comes only from vines growing on chalky soils. The vintage wines and the heart of the non-vintage brut, now called Collection, with a number indicating the base year of the blend, come from soils that are still calcareous but more clayey. Wines intended for longer aging do not undergo malolactic fermentation, which requires the grapes to be picked at a high level of ripeness, often close to 11°C. The current wines are certainly the most remarkable ever produced, including the astonishing red and white Coteaux-Champenois, with the very exclusive Camille cuvées.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the estate:

A house founded in Reims in 1776. Louis Roederer became its owner in 1833, developed it, and acquired vineyards. In the 1870s, the house, which delivered 2.5 million bottles, had Russia as its main customer, where Tsar Alexander II asked Louis Roederer to create a prestigious champagne for him: the famous Cristal cuvée was launched (1876). With 240 hectares of vineyards (first growth or grand cru) representing two-thirds of its supplies, the company is still run by the descendants of its founders. The latest, Frédéric Rouzaud, is now at the head of a group that owns Deutz Champagnes and numerous prestigious wines, from the Médoc to Provence, Portugal to California.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

The 2013 vintage, refined, vibrant, and salty, is best enjoyed without rushing.

About the estate:

This is one of Champagne's finest standard-bearers. This family-owned estate is based on a vineyard comprising 420 plots, mostly Pinot Noir, 70% of which are classified as Grand Cru. Viticulture is a real priority here, particularly through the transition to biodynamic farming. Soil cultivation is becoming widespread. Only such an exceptional vineyard can explain the unique level of harmony and concentration achieved with such large volumes. It is no coincidence that the cellar master, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, is an oenologist but also an agronomist, just like Jean-Claude Rouzaud, who built the current empire of Roederer's great international vineyards. In good faith, he entrusted the reins of the group to his son, Frédéric Rouzaud, the current president, at an early stage. Here, malolactic fermentation is only partial and random (between 25% and 50%). The juices are aged on lees in vats and oak casks to give them body.

Jancis Robinson

James Suckling

About wine:

The palate is very expressive and voluminous here. Lots of Pinot Noir, with flavors of sliced strawberries. Very rich, round, and assertive, it is already so long and complete. Abundant pink fruits and berries, with a sizzling, mineral finish. A new version here. Impressive! Drink now or wait.