Louis Roederer / Collection 244 Champagne.

"This thought process about Collection began 10 years ago. The facts were undeniable, climate change had been affecting the Champagne region over the past 30 years and we saw in this an opportunity to harvest extra mature grapes at the end of earlier harvests" — Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

Responding to the times we live in, along with sustainable and respectful winegrowing practices that accentuate the qualities of the terroir, have become central to Louis Roederer ethos and their work. Anticipating future vintages whilst adapting to current conditions are challenges that they are faced with daily and we must therefore push themselves ever further in their quest for exceptional wines. They must be bold and make the most of their freedom to act. These new balances determine the evolution of their wines in terms of their distinctive character and taste characterisitics whilst widening the scope of possibilities. Thus, 10 years ago, the idea of Collection was born...

AN EXCEPTIONAL 2019 HARVEST

This 244th blend from the Louis Roederer Champagne House is based on the finest successes of the 2019 harvest, a year of record-breaking temperatures brought by particularly intense heat waves. Dry and continental and of magnificent maturity, this year gave them wines that were dense and fresh, with a masterful balance, conducive to bringing out the powerful and luscious Collection character in the blend. All the wines from this harvest were rigorously tasted, plot by plot, before being blended in a complex symphony recreating the perfect picture of the vintage.

ROOTED IN "THE HEART OF THE TERROIR"

True to its roots, the Champagne House wanted to reflect its historical origins in the blend: 1/3 from their "La Rivière" Estate, 1/3 from their "La Montagne" Estate and 1/3 from their "La Côte" Estate. All the plots of vines used for the creation of Collection, i.e. those owned by Louis Roederer as well as those belonging to their longstanding partners, have therefore been reevaluated to retain only those that are best suited to the Collection identity, rooted in the heart of the Champagne terroir.

A BESPOKE VINIFICATION

Made up of 54% of the 2019 harvest, Collection 244 is an ode to taste and drinking pleasure. Each year, the Cellar Master composes a new symphony, inspired by the tonalities of the year and then adds the wines from the Perpetual Reserve and the oak-aged reserve wines. The Perpetual Reserve makes up a significant proportion of the Collection blend and provides its balance and freshness. In Collection 244, it represents 36% of the blend. In parallel to this Perpetual Reserve, 10% of wines from previous years and young plots on the Cristal estate, aged in French oak foudres, are added to the blend.

THE SINGULARITY OF COLLECTION 244

Aged for almost 4 years in their cellars, Collection 244 is a wine that has reached great plenitude, borne by the maturity of the year, the freshness of the Perpetual Reserve and the complexity of the oak-aged reserve wines. It is a wonderfully well-balanced champagne with an incredibly luscious power, marking the return of the Meunier grape variety, which adds a fruity, caressing softness to the more structured, saline Pinots noirs and Chardonnays.

VINTAGE

The dry, continental year of 2019 broke all previous temperature records in a succession of scorching heatwaves! Moderate yields and magnificent maturity resulted in wines that were dense and fresh. The harvest took place from 10 to 21 September.

Each Collection is a change of gear, a new chapter in the Champagne House ' world of taste. Always unique, yet always decidedly Roederer!

TASTING NOTES

Lovely golden yellow, very champagne-like, hue.

Dense and steady flow of extremely fine bubbles.

Deep, broad bouquet of ripe fruit (wild peaches, william pears) combined with citrus (lemons, blood oranges). The iodised and smoky notes, associated with the autolysis and the ageing in wood, add aromatic freshness. Then come notes of chalk and a hint of reduction, suggesting that the wine will be concentrated and powerful.

The entry to the palate is delicious showing a rich and robust texture. We have a very juicy and concentrated sensation as if we were biting into a ripe fruit. The substance is caressingly soft, coating the palate but is then immediately lightened by the delicate bubbles. The length is created by a lovely backbone of chalky freshness. The wine is both delectably rich, with a slightly roasted character, and super fresh thanks to a salivating finish.

The smoky notes then take over to underpin a very flavoursome finish. Collection 244 marks the return of the texture of the Meunier from the Marne and the Montagne, which adds a lovely richness to the well-structured and saline Pinot noir and Chardonnay grapes!