Responding to the times in which we live, along with sustainable and respectful winegrowing practices that accentuate the qualities of the terroir, have become central to Louis Roederer's ethos and work. Anticipating future vintages and adapting to current conditions are challenges they face every day, so they continue to push ourselves in a quest for excellence in their blends.

Aged in the cellars for almost four years, Collection 246 is a champagne of freshness, vibrancy and ethereal finesse. Carried by the tension and balance of the vintage, the freshness of the Perpetual Reserve, and the complexity of the oak-aged reserve wines, it unfolds with grace and delicacy, revealing an accomplished fruit, evocative of mirabelle plum and candied citrus, complemented by a subtle touch of oak and charming toasted and iodized overtones.

THE VINTAGE

The 246th harvest at Louis Roederer was a challenging, gruelling and in many ways confusing one. 2021 will be remembered as a year when the vineyard team showed unwavering commitment in the face of what was probably one of the most difficult winegrowing seasons since 1958, resulting in low yields. The harvest took place from 13 to 30 September 2021.

TASTING NOTES

On the eye: Champagne colored with bright, luminous reflections. Very fine, even bubbles.

On the nose: The bouquet reveals yellow fruits (mirabelle plum and nectarine) and candied citrus (lemon), complemented by toasted, oaky notes (vanilla) which come from the 24% of wines vinified in French oak foudres. The fine reductive notes (shellfish) weave their spell, giving the wine a very chiseled character sculpted by the Chardonnay.

On the palate: Very light and delicate with fruity (peach) and floral (pollen) flavors. The gently releasing bubbles are soft and creamy, creating a mouth-watering impression thanks to the savory and dry-chalk sensations created on the tongue and lips. The texture on the mid-palate is fresh, oily, powdery and vibrant. The finish is serene and graceful, and lifted by some smoky and toasty reductive notes that are very definitely from the Perpetual Reserve

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Varietals: 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Pinot Meunier

Appellation: 1/3 "La Rivière" vineyards, 1/3 "La Montagne" vineyards, 1/3 "La Côte" vineyards

246th BLEND

2021 vintage: 55%

Perpetual Reserve: 35% (2012-2020)

Reserved wine aged in oak: 10% (2012-2017)