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92POINTS
17/20
Champagne Louis Roederer Collection 242 NV
Champagne, FranceA new wine from Roederer forged by three decades of climate change will be the successor to Brut Premier. 242 results from a decade of planning for riper grapes, earlier harvests, and likely more often, vintage champagne declarations. The multi-vintage, re-tooled 242 is free from any formulas and will be blended each year to tell the best story of its terroir. In essence, Roederer is “placing the art of blending” at its soul. One thing left unchanged are the historical origins of the mix: 1/3 “La Rivière” estate, 1/3 “La Montagne” estate and 1/3 “La Côte” estate and most of that organically grown, mainly in chalk. The secret sauce is the new “Perpetual Reserve,” started in 2012, enriched every year from the latest harvest and stored in large-capacity stainless steel. The Perpetual Reserve will also significantly increase its proportion of oak-aged reserve wines that go into the blends. Wines from previous years and young plots on the Cristal estate, aged in large French oak vats (foudres), will all make it into 242, the 242nd blend since the founding of Roederer. The mix is 34% Perpetual Reserve and 10% oak-aged reserve wines from the 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages, complemented by 56% of the finest wines from the 2017 harvest. It is all aged between 3 and 4 years, and you feel the richness and weight from the first sip, suggesting this is different. An epicurean bubble, complex, nuanced, mixing that Roedered lighter than air fruit and citrus zest with a leesy, hazelnut finish. It would appear they are going after Bollinger with this style which is a noble pursuit. This will be a fun label to watch in the coming decade.Tasted: 07 December 2022Tasted by: Anthony GismondiPrices:| BC | $82.99 | 750ml | BCLS |
Blend: Pinot Noir - Chardonnay - Pinot MeunierCSPC: 483159UPC: 03114080414354
