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.
The story of Brut Nature began in 2003. This exceptionally sunny year revealed for the first time that certain vineyards in the heart of the Louis Roederer estate had remarkable potential. The clay hillsides of Cumières, Hautvillers and Vertus had no difficulty in resisting the heat and drought in the summer of 2003, producing intense and balanced grapes despite the weather. Moderate yields, a quick harvest and less racking due to the hot temperatures combined with fermentation in wooden casks led to the production of wines with incredible freshness. This prompted Roederer to carry out a series of bottling trials, fine-tuning the wines in 2003, 2004 and 2005, culminating in the selection of the 2006 vintage for the first Brut Nature creation. Produced solely from vineyards located on the Cumières terroir, these Pinot Noir grapes have such intense vinosity and exceptional maturity that no dosage is added to this cuvée. The champagne is also at a lower pressure of 4 atmospheres of pressure when typically most champagnes are at 6 atmospheres, this lighter fizz is all part of the techniques used by Chef de Cave Jean-Baptiste Lacaillon to broaden the texture and soften the acidity.
The collaboration between Frédéric Rouzaud and French designer, Philippe Starck encouraged the Louis Roederer team to be innovative, leading to the creative design of the Brut Nature label. Louis Roederer Brut Nature 2012 marks the third production of this unique cuvée.
Weather: The 2012 weather has been hallmarked by many as very challenging but has created some stunning Champagne. Relatively low yields due to various weather conditions throughout the year. The winter months brought some frosts and hail which damaged the early stages of bud burst. August and September were very warm and this helped rescue and give the grapes a stunning maturity.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Premier Cru | Pinot Noir & Chardonnay: Cumières
Grape Varieties: 55% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay, 25% Meunier
Ageing: 5 years on the lees
Dosage: 0 g/l
Drink: Now for 3-4 years
Tasting Note: Golden yellow hue flecked with green. Intense aromas of juicy ripe fruit such as vineyard peach and candied lemon combined with toasty notes and hazelnut. The ripeness of the fruit is revealed through the aromas of baked apples, tarte tatin, caramelised spices and a hint of fresh wood and benzoin. A gentle and smooth effervesence coats the palate before giving way to an intense, saline freshness. A very clean and direct finish.
As the largest independent family-managed Champagne producer, Louis Roederer rank amongst the region's absolute finest. Established in 1776, the House is currently managed by seventh generation family member Frédéric Rouzaud alongside long-time Chef de Cave and Champagne legend Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. Today, Champagne Louis Roederer own an astounding 240 hectares of vineyards in the very best locations that cover two-thirds of their grape requirements and are pioneers in biodynamic farming, having converted a total of 50% of its holdings to accommodate production using biodynamic methods. Their portfolio begins with Brut Premier, one of Champagne's most seductive non-vintage cuvées and ends with Cristal, perhaps the world's most recognised prestige cuvée champagne.
Top quality grapes are the cornerstone of Roederer's style and account for their characteristic purity and elegance. Their portfolio begins with Brut Premier, one of Champagne's most seductive non-vintage cuvées and ends with Cristal, perhaps the world's most recognised prestige cuvée champagne. Created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, the iconic Cristal is the essence of Roederer, matched only in decadence and luxury by its pink equivalent, Cristal Rosé.
Cellar Master:
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region:
Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 3,000,000
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Louis Roederer:
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon 1999 - Current | Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon has been the Chef de Cave at Louis Roederer since 1999, making him one of the youngest to hold the position in Champagne. He joined the company in 1989 and has played a significant role in shaping the house's style and approach to winemaking, particularly in the area of organic and biodynamic practices. He was instrumental in the transition of Louis Roederer to biodynamic farming, which now covers a large portion of their vineyards. Lécaillon's background in viticulture and oenology from the École Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie in Montpellier, France, has been instrumental in his success. His work has had a significant impact on the renowned Cristal cuvée. Lécaillon's work at Roederer Estate in Tasmania and Anderson Valley, California, has provided him with a broad understanding of winemaking in different regions. Since taking the position, he has become the youngest Chef de Cave in Champagne.