Louis Roederer Brut Vintage

Deep yellow hue with golden and slightly amber tints and vigorous, lively bubbles. The intense Pinot noir bouquet includes notes of zesty red fruit (redcurrants) and juicy, sun-drenched yellow fruit (mirabelle plums, wild peaches). After aeration, the nose evolves towards the more classic aromas of the Pinot noirs grown in “La Montagne”: dried fruit and smoky notes combined with a few zesty and spicy aromas (white pepper). The palate is dynamic, concentrated and powerful. The texture is fleshy and vinous with a lovely acidity that incorporates the freshness and concentration of the juice with great ease. The structure is energetic, well-honed, firm and almost classic. The fruity aromas gradually give way to sweeter notes of chocolate (cocoa beans) and even delicate roasted notes. The finish reveals concentrated roasted and stewed fruit underpinned by saline, mouthwatering flavours leaving a magnificent final sensation of lightness,generosity and elegance.

Vinous 93: The 2009 Brut Vintage is fascinating to taste next to the 2012. Time in bottle has softened some of the edges, but the 2009 remains a gorgeous Champagne with tons of up-front appeal. Pastry, spice and a range of tropical notes show how much allure this ripe, radiant vintage has to offer. The 2009 is just entering its first plateau of maturity, that stage where its aromatics are starting to develop, and yet it also has more than enough freshness to drink well for another decade or more.

Wine Enthusiast 94: This rich wine is full of ripe white and citrus fruits that combine easily with the tangy, tight texture that comes from the dominance of Pinot Noir in the blend. It is still young, the sort of wine that needs to age to bring out its full potential.

Decanter 94: Louis Roederer's vintage cuvée is 80% hailing from the northern Montagne de Reims in Pinot Noir in the ripe, approachable 2018 vintage, with the remaining 20% in Chardonnay from Chouilly. The inherent freshness of these northern slopes really benefits the style in such a vintage, with a little more precision and restraint than is sometimes present in 2018 even if the sunny cherry, sweet apple and clementine fruit is still aromatically very ripe. This is polished, silken and gently warmed-up with almond macaron richness and toasted brown bread notes, persistent rather than hugely intense but still standing to benefit from further ageing and integration of the brut dosage.

Jeb Dunnuck 94: Coming from Verzy and Chouilly, the 2018 Champagne Vintage Brut has 80% Pinot Noir from Verzy and is the last vintage to include Chardonnay from Chouilly. Historically, the Chardonnay was included in the blend to soften the austerity of the Pinot Noir; however, with these recent vintages and warming conditions, this is no longer necessary, as the Pinot Noir is fully ripe and appealing on its own. In the glass, it offers aromas of pure red cherries, fresh flowers, bright spice, and wild raspberries. Medium to full-bodied, it has compact definition, a pillowy mousse, a chalky texture, and mouthwatering tangerine notes on the finish. While I am eagerly anticipating the 2019 release, this holds a fantastic place in the range to enjoy now or over the next 15 or so years.