Louis Roederer's 246th harvest will be remembered as one of the most demanding since 1958, marked by difficult weather conditions and the unfailing commitment of the vineyard teams. The harvest, which took place from September 13 to 30, 2021, produced a rare cuvée, the result of modest yields but remarkable quality. Each of the House's Collections is an invitation to discover a new facet of its world of taste, and Collection 246 does not disappoint: unique, vibrant and resolutely Roederer.
To the eye, this captivating champagne boasts a luminous color with brilliant highlights, promising elegance and complexity. Its effervescence, with its ultra-fine and regular finesse, precedes a generous bouquet where notes of yellow fruits (mirabelle plum, nectarine) and candied citrus fruits (lemon) intermingle, enriched by toasted and vanilla woody touches, inherited from the 24% of wines aged in French oak casks. Subtle nuances of reduction, evoking shellfish, toasted and iodine aromas, bring a chiseled dimension, the signature of the Chardonnay that dominates this blend.
On the palate, Collection 246 seduces with its lightness and delicacy. Fruity peach and floral pollen aromas blossom gracefully, carried by a soft and creamy effervescence. The delicately released bubbles awaken the taste buds with salty sensations and a chalky minerality that leaves a mouthwatering and refreshing impression. The texture, both oily and powdery, is dynamic and lively, while the finish stretches out serenely, revealing smoky and toasted notes from the Réserve Perpétuelle.
This cuvée owes its unique balance to a meticulous blend, drawn in equal parts from the iconic vineyards of "la Rivière," "la Montagne," and "la Côte," complemented by carefully selected parcels from partner winegrowers. Composed of 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 11% Meunier, Collection 246 also includes 35% Réserve Perpétuelle (a blend of vintages from 2012 to 2020) and 10% reserve wines aged in wood. The 2021 harvest accounts for 55% of the blend, while partial malolactic fermentation (30%) and a dosage of 7 g/l complete this harmony between freshness, finesse, and depth.
A precise, tender and vibrant champagne that combines the thirst-quenching lightness of a blanc de blancs with the complexity of a great cuvée. To be enjoyed in celebration of the audacity and perseverance of an extraordinary vintage.
