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Louis Roederer Late Release Vintage Brut 1996.
Product Code:
PFW345
Country:
France / Champagne.
Grapes:
65% Pinot Noir & 35% Chardonnay.
Vineyards:
La Montagne Estate.
ABV:
12%
Case Size:
1 x 75cl.
Ratings:
99 Points / Decanter Magazine.
£245.00 - £297.20
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
A spectacular year. Cold and dry with some complications during the flowering phase, in particular on the Chardonnays, which led to poor fruit set and therefore small sized clusters of exceptional concentration. The summer weather was also very challenging owing to alternate high temperatures and rainy spells. The 20% water deficit gave us wines with incredible aromatic concentration, reminiscent of the fine wines of Burgundy with an exceptional balance, maturity and acidity. The wines from 1996 are simply outstanding with a fresh, distinctive and intensely mineral character.
Harvesting from 21 September to 5 October 1996.
TASTING NOTES
Golden hue with delicate amber tints.
Fine, even bubbles.
The bouquet is intense and pure with incredible detail and precision. The Pinot noir takes centre stage with its roasted and concentrated fresh fruity aromas (apricot) complemented by subtle notes of wheat and roasted hazelnut. It shows all the qualities of an outstanding wine with its aromas of warm stone, smoke and slightly saline notes typical of the fine and complex northern white wines.
The palate is concentrated, energetic and fresh. Notes of orange peel lend the wine a delectable quality whilst the powdery chalk creates a beautifully textured body. The finish is seemingly infinite and intensely aromatic with exceptional acidity, notes of stone and a certain white pepper tannicity. The whole is deliciously juicy and elegant. This is a very intense wine that is powerful, fine, crisp, juicy and has a saline 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
A spectacular year. Cold and dry with some complications during the flowering phase, in particular on the Chardonnays, which led to poor fruit set and therefore small sized clusters of exceptional concentration. The summer weather was also very challenging owing to alternate high temperatures and rainy spells. The 20% water deficit gave us wines with incredible aromatic concentration, reminiscent of the fine wines of Burgundy with an exceptional balance, maturity and acidity. The wines from 1996 are simply outstanding with a fresh, distinctive and intensely mineral character.
Harvesting from 21 September to 5 October 1996.
TASTING NOTES
Golden hue with delicate amber tints.
Fine, even bubbles.
The bouquet is intense and pure with incredible detail and precision. The Pinot noir takes centre stage with its roasted and concentrated fresh fruity aromas (apricot) complemented by subtle notes of wheat and roasted hazelnut. It shows all the qualities of an outstanding wine with its aromas of warm stone, smoke and slightly saline notes typical of the fine and complex northern white wines.
The palate is concentrated, energetic and fresh. Notes of orange peel lend the wine a delectable quality whilst the powdery chalk creates a beautifully textured body. The finish is seemingly infinite and intensely aromatic with exceptional acidity, notes of stone and a certain white pepper tannicity. The whole is deliciously juicy and elegant. This is a very intense wine that is powerful, fine, crisp, juicy and has a saline finish.
All our wines are stored in our importers bonded warehouse, which have the optimum environment for fine wine storage, by carefully regulating temperature, humidity and other microclimatic factors.
As such, please allow between 7 and 10 days for your delivery to arrive.
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