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 Rose 2012 marks the first Rosé Brut Nature 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
Disgorged: Spring 2019
Ageing: 6 years on the lees
Dosage: 0 g/l
Drink: Now for 3-4 years

Tasting Note: Orange hue with salmon pink tints. Spicy aromas of Sichuan pepper combined with sappy and floral notes of violet and gentian. Toast and mocha on the nose resulting in an elegant and concentrated bouquet. After aeration, intense fruity notes start to emerge along with concentrated notes of wild raspberries. The palate is fruity, directly from the Pinot Noir and a tight and juicy structure complented by ripe, almost sweet tannins.