It is with great honour and humility that we can announce that we have been awarded the Royal Warrant by His Majesty King Charles III of England.
We will continue to advocate and champion the virtues of sustainability which the Maison is aware has an ever growing resonance and significance in today’s world.
The privilege of baring the Royal Warrant is both an honour and a responsibility that we embrace wholeheartedly.
A masterpiece that has become an icon and the ever-changing story of a constant dialogue between the vineyard and the cellar.
In 1974, Jean-Claude Rouzaud, then CEO of Champagne Louis Roederer, came up with the idea of launching a rosé version of the legendary Cristal created in 1876 for the court of Tsar Alexander II. This rosé version would soon acquire its own identity and assume its place in the world of exceptional champagnes. An ode to lightness and refinement with its softly nuanced fragrances, Cristal Rosé would continually surprise and delight even the most discerning palates.
Today, the Louis Roederer Champagne House, headed by Jean-Claude’s son Frédéric Rouzaud, is
celebrating 50 years since the creation of Cristal Rosé. Over the course of some intense harvests,
respecting nature’s rhythms, and by dint of patient learning and continuous innovation, it has constantly gained in finesse, elegance and singularity.
Cristal Rosé has established itself among wine connoisseurs and lovers of fine products as one of this century’s great fine wines, destined for long cellar ageing and promising to deliver an unforgettable drinking experience.
A revolutionary technique: gentle infusion
In celebrating Cristal Rosé’s 50th anniversary, Champagne Louis Roederer is also paying tribute to half a century devoted to the quest for perfection that has shaped the story of this champagne.
From the outset, Cristal Rosé set itself apart by using an innovative approach to vinification referred to as the gentle infusion technique. This unique process, inspired by the art of infusion practised by Japanese tea masters, extracts the Pinot noir’s most delicate aromas without any mechanical intervention. This technique, which preserves the purity and complexity of the flavours, endows Cristal Rosé with its unique energy, powdery texture and extreme finesse.
Under the stewardship of Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, cellar and vineyard manager since 1999, this infusion method has been constantly improved and the fermentation phase quite literally reinvented, to enhance each new expression of Cristal Rosé since its creation. This constant rise in quality is exemplified by the legendary 2008 vintage, undoubtedly one of the greatest Cristal Rosé ever created.
An ever-changing story
An emanation of its great predecessor, Cristal Rosé is derived from a selection of vineyard plots that started in the birthplace of Cristal – Pinot noir in Aÿ and Chardonnay in Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger – and then continued to evolve, becoming more precise and aromatically nuanced each year from the end of the 1990s. It was at this time that the Louis Roederer Champagne House, conscious of climate change, began to evolve its viticulture to become increasingly more eco-friendly, introducing sustainable practices such as regenerative organic growing, massal selection, gentle pruning and long fallowing periods.
Subtle aromas of wild peaches and berries, a delicate touch of salinity, silky texture: each vintage of Cristal Rosé pushes the boundaries even further, revealing a new facet of the Champagne terroir, of which this exceptionally concentrated and refined wine is one of the purest and most remarkable expressions.
© Champagne Louis Roederer / Emmanuel&Quentin
We are looking forward to working with the great team at MMD, some of whom we have worked with previously. They are a serious wine company with a quality portfolio that embraces wine-loving people and their wines, many of which we already know and admire. – says Brian Bicknell, owner and winemaker of Mahi.
Joining the portfolio of Maisons Marques et Domaines – established in 1986 as the UK subsidiary of Champagne Louis Roederer and now managing the UK distribution for a portfolio of more than 30 premium, family-owned wineries from around the world – Mahi will be distributed alongside the Champagne Louis Roederer collection of estates and domaines, which include Domaines Ott*, Chȃteau Pichon Comtesse, Ramos Pinto, Diamond Creek, Delas Frères and MMD’s renowned Italian producers Ornellaia, Marchesi Mazzei, Pio Cesare, Tommasi Family Estates and Castiglion del Bosco.
“We are delighted to be entering into partnership with Brian Bicknell and Mahi, a great exponent of the depth, diversity and complexity that the Marlborough region has to offer.” says Richard Billett, Managing Director at MMD. “We look forward to presenting the wines at our Annual Portfolio Tasting in London on March 5, to working closely together to build on the existing distribution and to realise its potential in the UK market.”
Mahi is situated in Marlborough on the north-eastern corner of the South Island of New Zealand. It was established by Brian and Nicola Bicknell in 2001, and in 2006 they purchased the historic winery giving Mahi a home and a sense of place. The main aim of Mahi is to highlight the quality and diversity of individual vineyard sites in Marlborough. The name Mahi means “our work, our craft” and it was chosen to show that wine is their work, passion and craft while also paying respect to the history of the land and tea o Maori. Mahi produces multiple single vineyard wines as well as a regional Marlborough range .They source grapes from over eight different vineyard sites across the region having sought out the right sites, planted with the right varieties, a number of which are farmed biodynamically and are certified organic. The primary emphasis for all Mahi wines is texture, that offer true palate satisfaction and compliment food. All the wines are made in a ‘hands off’ style to allow the true expression of the vineyard site to shine through. For the single vineyard wines the fruit is hand-picked, whole cluster pressed, fermented using wild indigenous yeast and aged in older French oak.
To find out more about Mahi click here
We are thrilled to announce the release of a remarkable new addition to Domaines Schlumberger portfolio: the 2017 Riesling Clos Saint Léger. Nestled in the heart of the Grand Cru Kitterlé in the wine-growing commune of Guebwiller, Alsace, this wine embodies the epitome of excellence and tradition.
A Legacy Unveiled
Created by 7th generation of the family, Séverine and Thomas Schlumberger, the 2017 Riesling Clos Saint Léger marks the very first vintage of this extraordinary wine. Cultivated on a unique 1.6 ha plot with vines dating back to 1995, this wine reflects the distinct volcanic-sandstone terroir of the region. Situated on south-facing terraces within the Grand Cru Kitterlé ranging between 342 and 392 meters, the vineyard enjoys optimal sun exposure, resulting in grapes of unparalleled quality.
A Labour of Love
The journey of the Clos Saint Léger begins in the meticulous vineyard practices upheld by Domaines Schlumberger. Cultivated organically and with utmost environmental reverence, the vineyard employs traditional methods such as horse ploughing and handpicking to ensure the finest quality grapes. Limited yields ranging between 20 and 35 hl/ha are achieved through painstaking attention to detail, including green manure, shoot thinning, and canopy management—all performed by hand. Upon harvest, the grapes are delicately transported to the cellar in small crates, where they undergo gentle pressing to extract their full aromatic potential. Following a meticulous fermentation process in stainless steel tanks under rigorous temperature control, the wine is aged on fine lees until bottling.
A Tribute to Tradition
The name “Clos Saint Léger” pays homage to the Saint-Léger church, a symbol of artistic and spiritual significance in the Abbey of Murbach. Inspired by the sun-drenched slopes of the Florival in the Guebwiller valley, this wine captures the essence of its blessed terroir, as described by the monk Frulandus in his “Life of Saint Léger” from 1041.
Note: Small allocations of Riesling Le Clos Saint Leger 2017 will be available in the UK from late May 2024.
You can download the interview to Thomas Schlumberger by Wanda Mann recently published on The Somm Journal below.
For the 2024 edition of this prestigious award, the international jury at Drinks International, composed of some of the industry’s leading experts, honoured Louis Roederer once again by naming it the “World’s Most Admired Champagne Brand 2024”.
The family-run Champagne House headed by Frédéric Rouzaud is delighted and humbled to receive this prestigious award for the fifth year in a row. It is a fantastic recognition of the dedication and hard work of the Roederer team, both in the vineyards and in the cellars.
When the award-winners were announced on 5 March, journalist Giles Fallowfield, who oversees the awards every year, praised Rodererer’s “desire for excellence tied in with a lust for experimentation and re-invention […] which, in response to the changing climate, led it to create the multi-vintage cuvée Collection 242”.
Giles Fallowfield then quoted Roederer’s Cellar Master, Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, speaking at the launch of two other Collection blends (243 based on 2018 and 244 based on 2019).”We now have earlier harvests and get riper and healthier fruit. […] All the rules we learned at school are irrelevant, we are having to relearn and question many things to create a champagne of freshness. […] reflecting a real resilience.”
The judging panel, made up of sommeliers, retail buyers, importers, Masters of Wine, wine writers and journalists – including some of the most famous names in the wine world – determines the rankings based on the quality and consistency of the wines and their production, the coherence of the brand strategy and marketing, value for money, the respect and admiration they have for the Champagne House, and the strength of the brand in relation to its peers.
See the full Drinks International rankings here
We are delighted to share the 2020 vintage report and wine reviews from famed Barolo and Barbaresco producer Pio Cesare. The Barolos and Barbarescos 2020 will be released in the UK at the beginning of May 2024. Please get in touch with your sales manager or with Valeria Maffeis on valeria.maffeis@mmdltd.co.uk to find out about our pre-release offer.
2020 VINTAGE REPORT
The 2020 vintage joins a series of exceptional years, exhibiting great poise and seductive fruit concentration, with promising ageing potential.
Weather Conditions
Winter began with mild, dry conditions, aside from notable early and widespread snowfalls in November 2019. The vegetative cycle started prematurely, fueled by the sun-drenched months of March and April. However, an unstable May, marked by cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, slowed grape ripening and facilitated crucial soil moisture accumulation. Warm summer temperatures, peaking above 30°C in late July and early August, were balanced by regular water storms, sustaining vine hydration. September and early October followed with sunny, mild weather, allowing gradual grape ripening.
Nebbiolo
Nebbiolo’s growth initiated early in March but was hindered by lower temperatures in late April. Summer persisted until early September, with Nebbiolo clusters undergoing colour changes by late July and full veraison by early August. Following a temporary slowdown in September, moderated by cooler temperatures and moderate rainfall, Nebbiolo ripening resumed, achieving excellent levels of anthocyanins and polyphenols. Additional sampling protocols were implemented in all Nebbiolo vineyards in collaboration with an external lab and the University of Turin, facilitating precise harvest timing based on ripeness indicators. Harvesting occurred between September 26th and October 5th.
Notes
Despite the challenges posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 vintage emerged as remarkably high-quality. Green harvesting, conducted diligently from late July to late August, enhanced grape concentration, depth, and ripeness. The resulting wines exhibit intense red fruit profiles, with well-integrated oak and balanced acidity, showcasing the noble character of Nebbiolo. Tannins are round, supple, and fresh, promising exceptional ageing potential.
Barolo and Barbaresco 2020
Continuing the family tradition, signature blends for Barolo Pio and Barbaresco Pio were crafted from Nebbiolo grapes sourced from multiple family-owned vineyards. Additionally, limited quantities of single-vineyard Barolo and Barbaresco were produced:
Barolo Ornato 2020 (Serralunga d’Alba): 12,325 bottles produced.
Barolo Mosconi 2020 (Monforte d’Alba): 6,937 bottles produced.
Barbaresco Il Bricco 2020 (Treiso): 6,930 bottles produced.
Ratings
BAROLO PIO 2020
97 points James Suckling
“Very primary fruit with beautiful aromas of peaches, strawberries, berries and flowers. It’s medium- to full-bodied, with bitter citrus, cedar, chocolate and coffee bean character. Tight at the end. From five villages, primarily Serralunga, Monforte, La Morra, Grinzane Cavour and Novello. Needs two or three years to open and will age for a very long time.”
17 points Walter Speller
Mid ruby. Firm cherry nose with a hint of black pepper. Supple cherry fruit with just the right dose of gritty tannins. Very long and inviting. (WS) Drink 2024-2030
91 Points Wine Enthusiast, Jeff Porter
The wine opens with aromas of crushed raspberries and wild cherries kissed with sweet spice and complemented by dried flowers. Elegant and supple on the palate with rounded tannins that yield to the openness of this vintage yet show that the wine has ageability.
BAROLO ORNATO 2020
98 points James Suckling
“This is very focused with lots of ripe tannins in the centre palate. Very velvety and fine-textured with a pointed character. Medium to full body. Aromas of plums and spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg to the fruit. Bitter citrus. Chewy at the end. Taut muscles. Sophisticated. Needs four or five years to come around. Best after 2030.
96 points Decanter, Aldo Fiorelli
“Ornato has been the Pio Cesare estate’s cru since 1985. In 2020, the grapes were harvested on 5 October, after the heavy rainfall. Mineral and smoky, with intense violet notes alongside cherry kernel and rhubarb, it’s full of graphite flavour and almost zestiness on the palate, supported by tight-knit tannins. Polished and thick on the finish.”
95 points Wine Spectator, Bruce Sanderson
“This is firm and tightly wound, with thick, refined tannins setting the stage for cherry, eucalyptus, tobacco and iron flavors, while dusty, mouthcoating tannins infuse the finish. Patience required for the fruit to emerge”
95 points Wine Enthusiast, Cellar Selection
This Barolo from the Ornato vineyard offers enticing aromas of ripe black cherry, cinnamonspiced, cake, candied blood orange zest, and a hint of fresh bay leaf. The palate is exceptionally well-balanced, with a precise, linear structure that showcases flavors of juicy blackberry, dark chocolate, and a touch of vanilla. The wine’s impressive length and depth are evident in the long, satisfying finish.
16 points Walter Speller
Serralunga d’Alba. Just mid ruby. Savoury cherry laced with oak and a hint of iron. Youthful sour cherry and bags of grainy tannins that take overfrom the fruit on the finish. Further bottle age will help. (WS) Drink 2026–2036
BAROLO MOSCONI 2020
99 Points James Suckling
“Enchanting aromas of flowers like violets and lemon blossom, with raspberries and cranberries. Full-bodied yet focused and framed with a structure that builds on your palate and grows and grows, yet it remains fresh and vivid. The tannins are energetic and so, so long. A contemporary jewel. Fascinating. Thoughtful wine. Only the oldest vines are used in this from the 1940s and 1960s.”
95 points Wine Enthusiast, Editor’s Choice Jeff Porter
“The Mosconi unfurls with a medley of ripe plum and cherry, underpinned by the soft perfume of blue violets and rosebuds, with sandalwood, wild herbs, and roasted shiitake adding depth. On the palate, red fruits shine through a refined and silky structure, flanked by a rich tapestry of savory spices and a hint of briny minerality.”
94 Points Wine Spectator, Bruce Sanderson
This rich red features a dense matrix of tannins and lively acidity uplifting its cherry, menthol, mineral spice flavors. Austere for the vintage now, yet there’s good viscosity midpalate this finishes long detailed.
17 points Walter Speller
Monforte d’Alba. Lustrous mid ruby. Brooding, intense cherry nose with savoury-spice notes. Sappy, juicy cherry fruit with a layer of grainy tannins.Very long and well-balanced. Can be approached now. (WS) Drink 2024–2036
BARBARESCO 2020
96 points James Suckling
“Very fine and polished with plum, strawberry cedar aromas as well an iodine, sea shell chocolate undertone. Medium body, ultra-tannins a beautiful finish. It’s poised gorgeous. Such brightness finesse structure. So attractive now but will reward patience. Try after 2028.”
93 points Wine Enthusiast Editor’s Choice
“Earthy and herbaceous, with hints of fruit leaves and a luscious aroma reminiscent of strawberry and red currant jam. Freshly ground spices add depth, including sweet cinnamon and savory thyme. On the palate, encounter a vintage charm with dried cherries, wild herbs, and elegant tannins, evoking the timeless allure of an old-school classic that is delicious now but will refine with age. .”
BARBARESCO IL BRICCO 2020
97 points James Suckling
“Exquisite aromas of strawberries, cherries, hibiscus and cranberries. Hints cedar sandalwood. Medium body, with very fine tannins that run the length wine have melted into beautiful. Give this four or six years to completely open.”
94 points Wine Enthusiast Cellar Selection, Jeff Porter
“As classic as they come, the wines from Il Bricco always shows the passion that Pio Cesare bring to making wine. Aromas of dark cherry jam, plum compote with crushed bay leave and ground spices define the nose. Elegant with a fine line of tannins that runs from the beginning to end that provides a balance bar for the flavors wild berries, black tea and savory spices to perform on, a true high-wire act that is pulled off with near perfections. A gem of a wine.”
Champagne Louis Roederer are delighted to receive the highest score in the ‘Classics Category’ in Decanter’s Wines of the Year 2023 for Collection 243.
“From Champagne, Bordeaux, Tuscany and Piedmont, to South Africa, Alsace and Germany, the Classics category in Decanter’s Wines of the Year 2023 took home the lion’s share of the top scores”
“The three top-scoring traditional-method sparkling wines generated huge interest and discussion when tasted, and [Michaela] Morris was ‘delighted’ our Sparkling Wine of the Year went to a non-vintage champagne in Louis Roederer’s Collection 243. ‘It’s a real benchmark for the category – what more could you want?'”
The Panel Tasting Review, tasted by Tina Gellie, Anne Krebiehl MW and Michaela Morris, 02 Nov 2023
95 Points
“Launching with 241 in 2021, Collection replaced Brut Premier as Louis Roederer’s multi-vintage cuvée, the collection number allowing consumers to identify the vintage of the base wine so they can choose their preferred level of youth or maturity. Collection 243 is based on the 2018 vintage, incorporating 31% of wine from a perpetual reserve that was started in 2012, as well as 10% from oak-aged reserve wines from vintages between 2009 and 2017. A blend of 42% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 18% Pinot Meunier with a dosage of 8g/L, a quarter of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation.
Tina Gellie: Great mousse and vibrant aromas of crunchy, fresh green apple, then a palate of more tangy apple and lemongrass riffs, digestive biscuit nuttiness and a wonderful chalky texture. Elegant, complex and impossible not to like.
Anne Krebiehl MW: Subtle autolysis on the nose, lemony hints, fine mousse on a bright, balanced body. Beautifully clean and rounded while staying elegant and bright.
Michaela Morris: An elegant and precise nose exudes hints of pie crust, chalky minerals and pure citrus. Delicate and refined with depth and layers. Truly classic and gorgeously attractive, with telltale chalkiness at the fore. What more could you want?
Nominated by Simon Field MW.
We are delighted to announce that the 2023 Champagne Louis Roederer BAME WSET bursary is now open for application via this link to the BAME Wine Professionals website
We firmly believe in diversity and equality enriching all areas of business and we hope that this will encourage more people from the BAME community to embrace the wine industry and grow their confidence in line with their knowledge. We are proud to work with BAME Wine Professionals for this annual bursary and are happy to sponsor a place on the Level 4 diploma course for the first time, as well as a further place on the Level 3 course.
Application deadline is 30th November 2023 for both bursaries
Since 2021, the Robert Parker Green Emblem has been awarded to wineries demonstrating an outstanding commitment to sustainable viticulture and the long-term protection of the environment and biodiversity.
Louis Roederer, which was one of the 24 wineries to be recognised in the first global awards, has again picked up an award this year.
Announcing this award, the prestigious Robert Parker Wine Advocate said:
“At the turn of the millennium, Louis Roederer launched their plan initiating a revolution in Champagne, which aimed to take Roederer “back to the roots,” weaning the vineyards off herbicides and synthetic fertilizers and returning to cultivating the soils […]. At the same time, Cellar Master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon began introducing biodynamic methods in the house’s vineyards in order to obtain deeper root systems and more resilience in warm, dry weather. […] The significance of Roederer’s commitment to organic farming is considerable.”
Massal selection, gentle pruning, long fallowing periods, biodynamic compost, hedgerows and low walls, beehives… It is this ‘renaissance viticulture’ that the Robert Parker Wine Advocate’s distinguished critics were recognising and applauding once again. They also pointed out that the family-owned business, today headed by Frédéric Rouzaud, was a pioneer in the Champagne region when it embarked on the organic growing certification process in 2018. As a result, 115 hectares of its historic vineyards have now received organic growing certification (the AB label in France).
“The Robert Parker Green Emblem is a wonderful tribute to the commitment and hard work of the team headed by Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. Obtaining it again this year is not only a further source of pride to us, but it is also a real encouragement for us to continue along this demanding and rewarding path towards a type of family viticulture whose objective, beyond those of organic and biodynamic practices, ©Louis Roederer / Emmanuel&Quentin
is to preserve biodiversity and to seek ever more vibrant flavours and expressions in our grapes and wines… This commitment is inextricably tied to the history of my family and the powerful link we share with Nature and these great terroirs,” said Frédéric Rouzaud, CEO of Louis Roederer.
Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi has been included in the Top 100 Cellar Wines by Wine Enthusiast reaching the 24th place. See below the tasting notes and the full ratings.
Pio Cesare Barolo Mosconi 2019 – 97 points n.24 Top 100 Cellar Selections
Macerated raspberries combine with wild roses and crushed chalk in this evocative wine that captivates from the first sniff. Mixed cherries emerge on the palate, dusted with anise, licorice and savory herbs, wrapping up with superfine tannins that build to an extended finish that I wish would never end (Jeff Porter).
Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato 2019 – 96 points Cellar selection
The 2019 Ornato highlights how special this vineyard is with grace and structure combined into pure class. Dark cherry aromas are nestled between wild herbs, flowers and savory spices that push and pull your attention with each taste. Sturdy and well-structured, this wine is built for tomorrow, when all parts will relax into one another to reveal just how great this wine is. Drink 2028–2045 (Jeff Porter).
Pio Cesare Barolo Pio 2019 – 94 points Editor’s Choice
The historic house of Pio Cesare is making some of its best wines today. This classic highlights the purity of Nebbiolo with lifted tart red fruit notes combined with sweet and savory spices followed by subtle notes of flowers and earth. Sour cherry flavors define the palate with gentle tannins, savory herbs and a vibrant finish. Drink now–2035 (Jeff Porter).
