Louis Roederer Late Release Vintage Brut 1990.
LATE RELEASE
"Reaching the peak of maturity yet still as fresh as ever, these original disgorgement champagnes illustrate their exceptional cellaring potential and incredible gastronomic dimension." — Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master.
THE HANDPRINT OF TIME
It is these variations over the years that we are now ready to share through these limited-edition Late Release champagnes. By uncovering a small quantity of these precious bottles and bringing them into the light - the light of day, of course, but also the light of a new tasting experience - the Louis Roederer Champagne House is revealing a new facet of these exceptional wines.
These mature vintage champagnes were disgorged at the time of their creation and then left to age in our cellars until they were ready to disclose the true depth of their personalities to us. They are witnesses of the passing of time, they recount the history and evolutions of the Champagne House and in doing so they also relate the history of Champagne and its terroirs. We are turning back the hands of time to reveal the innermost secrets of these champagnes that have waited patiently beneath our feet for this moment, each one so unique despite their similarities.
THE VARIATIONS OF THE VERZY TERROIR
These five vintages were carefully selected by the cellar master. Having been honed and structured by extended periods of age, their contours are now clearly defined as they prepare to reveal the full extent of their personalities to us, “reaching the peak of maturity yet remaining as fresh as ever”.
The Late Vintage is also about variation: the variations of the same terroir across 5 vintages. Tasting these champagnes is like piecing together the parts of the Verzy puzzle and thereby grasping its true essence.
"For this first edition of Late Release, we were naturally drawn to the origins of the Champagne House and our family and it was for this reason we chose the Montagne vineyards and in particular the village of Verzy. This village holds a very special place in our heart because it represents the beginnings of the family-owned Champagne House as this is where Louis Roederer chose to purchase his very first vines back in 1850." — Frédéric Rouzaud, CEO
THE MONTAGNE VINEYARDS
The Vintage champagne was born in these very soils and has now been reawakened after two decades of dormancy to open the first chapter of the Late Release adventure. The exceptional texture and smoothness of these wines result from the nuances found in the Verzy Pinot noirs which have been further accentuated by the precision of the oak ageing process.
TRACING THE THREADS OF HISTORY
Having been carefully preserved for many long years in the complete darkness of the Louis Roederer cellars, in perfect temperature and humidity conditions, these vintage champagnes are now reaching the peak of their maturity, the very apex of their potential.
Each vintage that has been carefully selected by the cellar master is now ready to begin a new life, bringing champagne into the world of fine wine and broadening their drinking potential as these fresh and complex champagnes pair wonderfully well with food!
VINTAGE
The mild and rainy winter was followed by a rather chaotic spring with dry weather resulting in frosts, shot berries and poor fruit set. Summer was sunny, warm and dry with a heatwave in August that was perfect for the ripening of our Pinots noirs. There was a slight water deficit (18%) but nothing too serious. This vintage gave us glorious, velvety smooth Pinots noirs, thanks to relatively low yields, and an exceptional concentration in the wines.
Harvesting from 11 September to 29 September 1990.
TASTING NOTES
Golden yellow hue with deep amber tints.
Delicate bubbles.
The beautifully evolved bouquet reveals the complexity of our Pinot noirs grown in Verzy with their aromas of red fruit, apricot, spice (saffron, immortelle), leather, cocoa and nougat. Upon aeration, the red fruit comes to the fore (we could almost believe that we’re drinking a fine red wine) before giving way to swathes of oriental spice.
The palate is wide, well-structured and assertive. It reveals an oily, velvety texture with concentrated aromas of a red fruit that is almost liqueur-like. The ever present limestone freshness imparts structure and length to the palate. Subtle oaky notes and a pleasant bitterness complement the spectacular finish.
LATE RELEASE
"Reaching the peak of maturity yet still as fresh as ever, these original disgorgement champagnes illustrate their exceptional cellaring potential and incredible gastronomic dimension." — Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master.
THE HANDPRINT OF TIME
It is these variations over the years that we are now ready to share through these limited-edition Late Release champagnes. By uncovering a small quantity of these precious bottles and bringing them into the light - the light of day, of course, but also the light of a new tasting experience - the Louis Roederer Champagne House is revealing a new facet of these exceptional wines.
These mature vintage champagnes were disgorged at the time of their creation and then left to age in our cellars until they were ready to disclose the true depth of their personalities to us. They are witnesses of the passing of time, they recount the history and evolutions of the Champagne House and in doing so they also relate the history of Champagne and its terroirs. We are turning back the hands of time to reveal the innermost secrets of these champagnes that have waited patiently beneath our feet for this moment, each one so unique despite their similarities.
THE VARIATIONS OF THE VERZY TERROIR
These five vintages were carefully selected by the cellar master. Having been honed and structured by extended periods of age, their contours are now clearly defined as they prepare to reveal the full extent of their personalities to us, “reaching the peak of maturity yet remaining as fresh as ever”.
The Late Vintage is also about variation: the variations of the same terroir across 5 vintages. Tasting these champagnes is like piecing together the parts of the Verzy puzzle and thereby grasping its true essence.
"For this first edition of Late Release, we were naturally drawn to the origins of the Champagne House and our family and it was for this reason we chose the Montagne vineyards and in particular the village of Verzy. This village holds a very special place in our heart because it represents the beginnings of the family-owned Champagne House as this is where Louis Roederer chose to purchase his very first vines back in 1850." — Frédéric Rouzaud, CEO
THE MONTAGNE VINEYARDS
The Vintage champagne was born in these very soils and has now been reawakened after two decades of dormancy to open the first chapter of the Late Release adventure. The exceptional texture and smoothness of these wines result from the nuances found in the Verzy Pinot noirs which have been further accentuated by the precision of the oak ageing process.
TRACING THE THREADS OF HISTORY
Having been carefully preserved for many long years in the complete darkness of the Louis Roederer cellars, in perfect temperature and humidity conditions, these vintage champagnes are now reaching the peak of their maturity, the very apex of their potential.
Each vintage that has been carefully selected by the cellar master is now ready to begin a new life, bringing champagne into the world of fine wine and broadening their drinking potential as these fresh and complex champagnes pair wonderfully well with food!
VINTAGE
The mild and rainy winter was followed by a rather chaotic spring with dry weather resulting in frosts, shot berries and poor fruit set. Summer was sunny, warm and dry with a heatwave in August that was perfect for the ripening of our Pinots noirs. There was a slight water deficit (18%) but nothing too serious. This vintage gave us glorious, velvety smooth Pinots noirs, thanks to relatively low yields, and an exceptional concentration in the wines.
Harvesting from 11 September to 29 September 1990.
TASTING NOTES
Golden yellow hue with deep amber tints.
Delicate bubbles.
The beautifully evolved bouquet reveals the complexity of our Pinot noirs grown in Verzy with their aromas of red fruit, apricot, spice (saffron, immortelle), leather, cocoa and nougat. Upon aeration, the red fruit comes to the fore (we could almost believe that we’re drinking a fine red wine) before giving way to swathes of oriental spice.
The palate is wide, well-structured and assertive. It reveals an oily, velvety texture with concentrated aromas of a red fruit that is almost liqueur-like. The ever present limestone freshness imparts structure and length to the palate. Subtle oaky notes and a pleasant bitterness complement the spectacular finish.