As the largest independent family-managed Champagne producer, Louis Roederer rank amongst the region's absolute finest. Established in 1776, the House today is managed by seventh generation family member Frédéric Rouzaud alongside long-time Chef de Cave and Champagne legend Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. They own an astounding 242 hectares of vineyards many in chalk rich Grand Cru villages covering two-thirds of their grape requirements. Roederer have become pioneers in biodynamic farming & by 2012 all 78 hectares the “Cristal Estates” are farmed using biodynamic methods. By 2021 Roederer have 115 hectares certified organic. All the grapes in Cristal & other vintage cuvee’s come from their own vineyards. The estate is made up of 410 plots which are fermented separately in one of the 450 stainless steel tanks in their Reims cellars. In 2020 Roederer replaced Brut Premier with “Collection” allowing each years non-vintage blend to be identified and “re-engineering” the non-vintage cuvee to maintain freshness in the light of global warming on the Champagne region. Today Cristal is, widely recognised as the world's most awarded prestige cuvée champagne.

In the heart of the Côte des Blancs, where Chardonnay expresses itself with such incredible finesse on the famous limestone soils, Louis Roederer selected three outstanding Grand Crus for their Blanc de Blancs cuvée. These plots in Avize, Cramant and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger have distinct characteristics that allow for the production of wines expressing both balanced harmony and rich aromas. This pure-Chardonnay champagne quickly became the favourite wine of the Roederer family for major events and is 100% estate-bottled from the grapes of their historic vineyards. Drawn at low pressure for a fuller flow of bubbles, 10% of the wines have been aged in wood casks and the final blend is matured for an average of five years in the cellars and left to rest for six months after disgorgement.

Weather: The 2010 harvest was marked by a very cold winter with heavy frost patches. Weather improved in the spring and early summer months with cool and consistent temperatures. During August and September storms and humid conditions complicated the ripening process and much of the Pinot Noir being thin skinned largely succumbed to rot. Dom Perignon's vineyards in the Grand Cru village of Verzenay produced some outstanding Pinot Noir, but there weren't many examples of great PN from 2010. By contrast Chardonnay was super high quality, one of the best Chardonnay years within the last ten years.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Avize, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Ageing: 5 years on the lees
Dosage: 9 g/l
Drink: Now to 2026

Tasting Note: A golden yellow colour with hints of green and a fine stream of bubbles. Initially on the nose there is an intense bouquet of plums and mango with notes of citrus fruits. On the palate a more rounded apple flavour combines with balanced acidity of lemon and vanilla.