The result of a free-spirited collaboration between the Louis Roederer Champagne House and creator Philippe Starck, this pared-down, zero dosage champagne captures the essence of Cumières' black soils in a sunny vintage. Produced exclusively in warm, dry years, it reflects Louis Roederer's vision of a “climate change laboratory” through its singular taste.

THE VINTAGE

2018 was a glorious year in which the fruit was bursting with ripeness and saline energy. Defined by their precision and clarity, these flawless grapes reveal a juicy freshness and crisp vitality, nourished by a mild spring and a dry, sunny and exceptionally hot summer, surpassing even the record-breaking temperatures of 2003. The vines were in perfect condition and the harvest was generous, producing elegant, fruity wines of remarkable freshness and depth of flavor. This near-perfect vintage recalls, in many ways, the character of 1999, with the promise of a superb evolution in bottle and outstanding ageing potential.

TASTING NOTES

On the eye: The eloquent presence of the Pinot Noir is unmistakable, revealing itself in the form of creamy, concentrated bubbles that assert their structure with finesse.

On the nose: Expressing the richness of the ripe grapes while preserving all their original flavor, this wine opens with aromas of blood orange and tangy fruit, complemented by fresh, sweet floral notes. With aeration, a seductive concentration of fruit comes to the fore, subtly reminiscent of raspberry liqueur.

On the palate: The palate is broad but lifted by saline notes, showing a juicy, savory and fleshy quality. One has the impression of biting into a perfectly ripe and juicy fruit. The clarity and natural purity of the wine's grapey flavor are impressive. An intricately woven, delicately iodized texture carries the freshness through to a dynamic, well-structured finish with hints of spice and bitter cocoa.