Initially founded in 1776 as Dubois Père & Fils, Louis Roederer inherited the company from his uncle and renamed it in 1833. “Louis Roederer’s guiding principle was that all great wine depends on the quality of the soil, a passion for tradition, and an astute vision of the future.” In 1979 Jean-Claude Rouzaud, grandson of Camille Olry Roederer, inherited this house. His son, Frédéric Rouzaud, has been the director of the company since 2006. It remains an independent family-run house recognized for their ultra-premium Cristal label, which was originally created for Russian Czar Alexander II.

Louis Roederer vintage champagne captures the ultimate expression of Pinot Noir from the “La Montagne” estate, concentrated on the original vines purchased by the Champagne house. This champagne is composed of 68% Pinot Noir and 32% Chardonnay aged in the cellars for four years and resting for 6 months after being disgorged. The yellow crystalline color and finely detailed mouse unveil scents from a French pâtisserie and a homemade apple tart. The core is wonderfully expansive and creamy with sweet stone fruits, lemon curd, apple butter and honeycomb. The creamy brioche and fresh fruit is amplified with a whisper of chalk making it extremely complex and exotic. It glides across the palate into a long and pleasurable finish.

By W Peter Hoyne