Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2013

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 one plot from their vineyards in Avize Grand Crus for their Blanc de Blancs 2013. This plot in Avize has distinct characteristics and in the difficult vintage only grapes from the south facing slopes attained the required level of ripeness. 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, 33% of the wines were fermented in wood casks and the final blend is matured for an average of five years in the cellars and

Weather: In 2013, the growth cycle was delayed, with the vines flowering as late as July in some places due to the long winter and cool spring. Hailstorms caused some damage, but overall the summer was hot and dry. The weather turned wet towards mid-September, causing outbreaks of rot. The harvest was long and started late, on September 24th. However, most of the picking of the abundant yield (12,0008 kg/ha) took place in cool conditions in October thus contributing to a classic cool and linear style of Champagne. Taking into consideration the challenging season, the wines have positively surprised with their pure fruitiness, racy palates and stylish restraint. There is heterogeneity in the results, but the best belong to the Champagne elite. This vintage is greatly underrated and will likely become better appreciated over time, when the region's most iconic wines are released.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | La cote in Avize (Detailed map)
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Ageing: 6 years on the lees
Disgorged: Autumn 2019
Pressure: 5 bars
Dosage: 8 g/l
Wine in Oak: 33%
Drink: Now to 2026

Tasting Note: Bright, intense yellow flecked with green. Soft, even effervescence with long-lingering threads of bubbles. Enticing bouquet of pollen, delicately scented spring flowers, honeysuckle, lily of the valley, lemon tree and more concentrated, candied lemon. The nose evolves towards toasty notes, sugared almonds, wheat and cereals, characteristic of the finest Avize Chardonnays. The round and fruity attack gives way to a mineral freshness that is chalky yet also powdery and velvety. There is a hint of cold, humid chalk and a slightly drying sensation which enhances the delicate and well-integrated minerality.