Louis Roederer Collection 247 (without gift box)
Champagne-coloured robe, deep and luminous, crossed by a very delicate, regular and restrained bead. The nose impresses with its intensity: mirabelle plum and William pear from the meunier and pinot noir, ripened by the sun of 2022, then the chardonnay bringing pollen and white flowers with vanilla…
ALL CHAMPAGNES FROM LOUIS ROEDERERThe expert verdict
The structure of this champagne
TASTING NOTES
Champagne-coloured robe, deep and luminous, crossed by a very delicate, regular and restrained bead. The nose impresses with its intensity: mirabelle plum and William pear from the meunier and pinot noir, ripened by the sun of 2022, then the chardonnay bringing pollen and white flowers with vanilla accents. On aeration come chocolatey spices, a toasted touch and baked apple. The palate is both full-bodied and fresh: juicy fruit, a creamy, caressing volume, without heaviness, like a ripe fruit bitten into just picked. The gentle effervescence lightens it, a slight tannic and bitter edge gives it energy. The finish lingers, concentrated, with chalky, saline and mouth-watering accents. To be served between 8 and 10°C. The house intends it "to be collected and savoured around a fine table".
The composition
Terroirs
Collection 247 bears the number of Louis Roederer's 247th harvest since the house's founding in 1776: that of 2022, which forms 68% of the blend. The grapes come equally from each of the house's three vineyards, "la Rivière" in the Vallée de la Marne, "la Montagne" on the Montagne de Reims and "la Côte" in the Côte des Blancs, complemented by "Cœur de Terroir" plots from partner growers, with priority given to sustainable viticulture. The blend brings together 44% chardonnay, 30% pinot noir and 26% meunier. 2022 was the exact opposite of 2021: a year under continental, sunny and generally dry influence, harvested from 29 August to 13 September. To the vintage wine are added 27% Réserve Perpétuelle, the blend of ten harvests, from 2012 to 2021, which the house has maintained in its cellars since 2012, and 5% reserve wines aged in French oak foudres (2013 and 2017 to 2021). 23% of the wines are aged in wood and only 23% undergo malolactic fermentation, which preserves freshness. Dosage: 7 g/L.
About this house
Founded in Reims in 1776, Louis Roederer is one of the last great Champagne houses to remain family-owned and independent: Frédéric Rouzaud, seventh generation, leads it, and Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon signs the wines as cellar master. Its name remains linked to Cristal, created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II.
A symbol of the freedom of the Roederer style, Collection took over from Brut Premier: a multi-vintage blend that the cellar master recomposes each year around a harvest, numbered after it, and which the Réserve Perpétuelle connects to previous ones. "Each Collection is a 'step aside', a new chapter in the House's universe of taste. Each time unique but always resolutely Roederer!", says Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. The 247 gives a sunny, indulgent version of it, rated 17/20 by JancisRobinson.com.
The perfect pairing
Aperitif
The iodised sweetness of the prawn echoes the saline, mouth-watering finish of the wine; its delicate bead lightens the pastry.
Starter
The pearly, sweet flesh of the scallop meets the juicy mirabelle fruit; the wine's creamy texture envelops it, its chalky freshness lifts it.
Main course
A delicate fish with brown butter: the pear, baked apple and vanilla touch of the chardonnay accompany it, the wine's slight bitterness keeps the palate clean.
