It all began in 2003… this exceptionally sunny year, which was problematic for our northern vineyards, revealed—for the first time—certain vineyards with remarkable potential in the heart of the Louis Roederer estate.
Located on the calcareous clay soil hillsides of Cumières, Hautvillers, and Vertus – rich in hard, coarse sandstone – these parcels had no difficulty in resisting the heat and drought in the summer of 2003. In fact, the vineyards produced aromatic, intense, and balanced grapes. The resulting wines are characterised by an optimal aromatic maturity, a creamy texture, and a vibrant freshness. This encouraged us to carry out a series of bottling trials. The wines were fine-tuned in 2003, 2004, and 2005, which culminated in the selection of the first 2006 vintage, which in turn led to the creation of the 2009 – another beautiful sunny year.
The collaboration between Frédéric Rouzaud and Philippe Starck encouraged us to be innovative, stimulating our creativity to such an extent that we pushed the whole process even further: the wine was developed through discussions, words that conjure up images, ideas, concepts… in a quest for the ideal champagne.
The grapes are grown exclusively in the Côteaux de Cumières.
No dosage.
2012 was one of the most challenging and complicated years ever experienced in Champagne. However, difficult conditions often lead to great things… The low yields, due to the unpredictable weather, combined with continental conditions towards the end of the season, gave us unusual levels of maturity, resulting in rich, full-bodied and structured wines worthy of the greatest vintages in Champagne.
Golden yellow hue flecked with green.
Delicate, compact, gentle bubbles.
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, caramelized spices and a hint of fresh wood and benzoin. The attack is juicy and textural. The gentle, velvety smooth effervescence coats the palate before giving way to an intense, saline freshness. This delicious combination gives the wine a lovely intensity further enhanced by excellent freshness and a pleasant hint of bitterness. This intensity overrides the juicy, rounded body and gives way to a clean, direct and remarkably pure finish.
12C
AOC Champagne
55% Pinot Noir
25% Pinot Meunier
20% Chardonnay
Natural cork
12%
Yes
No (horses in vineyard)
