Louis ROEDERER Collection 246 Champagne

Louis Roederer Collection 246 – Multi-Vintage Champagne

The Collection 246 cuvée from Louis Roederer represents the contemporary evolution of the Brut Premier, based on a meticulously crafted multi-vintage blend. Based on the selection of a pivotal vintage, complemented by historic reserve wines, it offers a factual and rigorous expression of the climatic variations and the excellence of a great Champagne terroir.

Terroir and Expertise

The structure of Collection 246 is based on the 2021 harvest, a year characterised by challenging climatic contrasts that favoured slow ripening and optimal phenolic concentration in the grapes. The final blend comprises 56 per cent Chardonnay, 35 per cent Pinot Noir and 11 per cent Pinot Meunier. To shape the terroir’s character and ensure continuity with the house style, Louis Roederer incorporates 44 per cent of wines from its Perpetual Reserve (established in 2012 and stored in stainless steel vats) as well as 10 per cent of reserve wines aged in oak casks.

The grapes are sourced primarily from the house’s own estates, situated in the terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, the Montagne de Reims and the Marne Valley. The rigorous selection of plots highlights a mineral subsoil dominated by Campanian chalk, which acts as a thermal and hydric regulator for the root system. To preserve the wine’s linear freshness and crisp acidity, malolactic fermentation is carried out only partially (to 26 per cent). Bottle ageing lasts for a minimum of 36 months in the cellars of Reims, followed by a 6-month rest period after disgorgement. The dosage is precisely adjusted to 7 g/L, placing this wine in the category of balanced Bruts.

Sensory Profile

Colour: Visual examination reveals a clear, golden colour, with shimmering highlights and enlivened by dynamic effervescence, characterised by bubbles of great finesse.

Nose: The initial nose offers a complex and open aromatic profile, marked by notes of ripe citrus (lemon, grapefruit) and stewed white fruits. With aeration, the organoleptic profile is enriched with nuances of dried fruit, toasted almonds and subtle toasty notes resulting from oak ageing.

Palate: The attack is characterised by a full-bodied, fleshy structure, where the power of the Pinot Noir lends texture. The mid-palate is underpinned by the liveliness of the Chardonnay, offering a saline framework and a vertical, chalky tension. The finish is long and lingering, ending on noble bitter notes reminiscent of citrus zest.

Serving Advice

To ensure the optimal release of volatile compounds and preserve the balance of its structure, Collection 246 must be served at a precise temperature of between 9°C and 11°C. This fine dining wine calls for straightforward, refined food pairings. It pairs well with delicate fish (such as cod fillet or sole meunière), seared shellfish, langoustine tartare or free-range poultry served with a delicate cream reduction.

Why choose this cuvée?

• The ‘Réserve Perpétuelle’ concept: A substantial blend of 44 per cent reserve wines managed using the solera system, which imparts a complexity and depth of character impossible to achieve with a single vintage.
• Mastery of oak: The inclusion of wines aged in large wooden casks adds structure to the mid-palate without ever imparting an oaky flavour to the overall aroma.
• Optimal protection: This bottle is presented in its own dedicated case, which shields it from ‘light-induced off-flavours’ and preserves the wine’s physico-chemical integrity during storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the significance of the number 246 for this Louis Roederer cuvée?
  The number 246 indicates that this is the 246th blend in the history of the House of Louis Roederer since its foundation in 1776, based primarily on the 2021 vintage.
• What is the proportion of grape varieties used in Collection 246?
  The technical blend is rigorously defined as 54 per cent Chardonnay, 35 per cent Pinot Noir and 11 per cent Pinot Meunier.
• What is the Maison Louis Roederer Perpetual Reserve?
  It is a continuous blending system launched in 2012, replenished each year with the new harvest and stored in stainless-steel vats to impart freshness and a savoury texture to the cuvées.
• What is the sugar dosage for the Collection 246 cuvée?
  The wine is dosed with a liqueur d’expédition at 7 g/L, which meets the criteria for a Brut champagne.
• Does this champagne contain reserve wines aged in oak?
  Yes, the blend includes 10 per cent of wines from the house’s reserve collection, carefully preserved and aged in oak casks to enrich the wine’s texture.
• What is the ideal serving temperature for this wine?
  To preserve its precise organoleptic profile, it is recommended to serve this champagne at between 9°C and 11°C in large tulip-shaped glasses.