Alcohol: 12%
Grapes: 42% Chardonnay, 36% Pinot Noir, 22% Meunier
Localization: Côte des Blancs, Mountain of Reims and Grand Valley of the Marne, Champagne, France
Tasting Notes: #76 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2021
The Collection 242 blend is dominated by Chardonnay which was of exceptional quality in the 2017 vintage. The perfectly ripe Chardonnay grapes lend the wine its aromas of ripe, sweet fruit complemented by subtle oaky notes. The palate is rich and ripe with a luxurious texture that coats the palate, the signature of an outstanding Chardonnay. The Pinot noir and Meunier grapes from the Vallée de la Marne complete the wine’s broad, luscious, smooth and juicy character. The finish is energetic and fresh.
94 points James Suckling: Aromas of cooked apple, bread dough and lemon tart follow through to a full body with round, delicious fruit and a rich, flavorful finish. Yet, it remains tight and fine with lovely, compressed bubbles. New energy and freshness. Medium- to full-bodied, with layers of fruit and vivid intensity. 42% chardonnay, 36% pinot noir and 22% pinot meunier. 8 grams dosage. Four years on the less. A new-format non-vintage that designates the year of the 242nd harvest, 2017, plus reserve wine of 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Drink or hold.
Food pairing: Perfect for rich meats, such as chicken, monkfish or veal in a butter or cream-based sauce; chicken a la king; or smoked monkfish with oyster mousse.
The Domain: In 1845, Louis Roederer acquired 15 hectares in the Grand Cru vineyards of Verzenay. The idea—which was quite unusual when grapes had little value—was to become a wine grower to master the entire process of creating his vintage wines. Ever since, every Louis Roederer vintage originates exclusively from our own vines, which is rare indeed in the Champagne region. The quest for a diversity of terroirs, crus, parcels, and grape varieties in the vineyards (or climats to use the Burgundian expression) was rapidly integrated by the House of Louis Roederer. A groundbreaking strategy was implemented, which involved buying specific parcels selected for their capacity to produce distinctive wines. This strategy is still a core component of the House’s continuing development.
Taking into account the specificities of different soils and the practice of ‘tailor-made’ viticulture enable us to attain optimal grape maturity.
This precise work is carried out with great respect for biodiversity and, increasingly, the principles of biodynamic cultivation. Our vineyards are located in three classic Champagne districts: the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs. The diversity and fertility of these sites provide our House with an extensive and rich palette from which to fashion the wines.
The Louis Roederer estate cultivates the 3 traditional grape varieties: Chardonnay is appreciated for its minerality, finesse, and elegance; Pinot noir’s solid constitution adds structure to the blends and prepares them for ageing; Pinot Meunier is a slightly less refined sweet grape variety, whose adaptability brings harmony and softness to certain cuvées.
The grapes in our plots are meticulously gathered by hand and are collected in the buckets and pressed on the site of the harvest. The pressing process is a delicate one, because the berry must not alter the colour of the juice, which must maintain its golden hue and clarity.
2012 was one of the most challenging and complicated years ever experienced in Champagne. However, difficult conditions often lead to great things… Due to the unpredictable weather, the low yields and 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.
In 2013, Louis Roederer’s vineyards stretched across 240 hectares and include 410 parcels.
