Champagne Louis Roederer

A tasting of Champagne Louis Roederer at Cambridge Wine Merchants, Cherry Hinton Road presented by the most entertaining and erudite Mark Bingley MW of Maisons Marques et Domaines Ltd, Roederer's sole UK importer / agent. Prices, where indicated are retail to Cambridge Wine Merchants, correct at time of writing.

NV Louis Roederer Brut Premier
£38.99 | A-

Classic nose: citrus overlain with yeasty and biscuity tones, theres some savouriness too, inviting. Palate is fat and persistent, trademark Louis Roederer richness and generosity on the palate; dosaged to 9 g/l lending it a fuller and filled in mid palate; acidity in check. Such balance and poise; you could drink this anytime and every time and wont be disappointed. If Champagne houses were to be judged by their NVs, then Louis Roederer has much to be proud of.

NV Louis Roederer 'Carte Blanche' Demi Sec
£38.99 | A-

Slightly more intensity on the nose, moving towards brioche and baked bread nose, I feel theres a little bit more development on the nose too. Off dry, dosaged to 24 g/l but if I were to judge it blind, I would have put it closer to 15 g/l; shows how integrated it is. Full, rich and generous; the acidity has been tempered but provides nice backbone; good concentration too. A beautifully finessed style, eminently drinkable.

2005 Louis Roederer Brut Vintage
£62 | A-(+)

Quite savoury on the nose; biscuity, brioche and baked cheesy flavours coming through; nice development going on. More concentration of fruit; flavours are more intense; everything just feels more structured (particularly its acidity) and taut without losing its generosity; persistent flavours. Still in its youth, I think this has many many years ahead of it.

2007 Louis Roederer Brut Vintage Rose
A-

Very pale pink in colour; overtly fruity nose, ripe raspberries and strawberries showing, along with some citrus nose; theres also some of the classic Champagne yeastiness coming through - baked raspberry tart, anyone? Palate again is large and filling, but feels slightly creamier and more textured; still good precision, acidity keeping things fresh and flowing. Both the vintage Champagnes would pair well with substantial foods.

2004 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut
£175 | A-(+)

Nose leaps out of the glass: its developed with biscuity and yeasty notes, but followed by a savoury, nutty and creamy complexity that reminds me more of grand white Burgundies than Champagnes; hidden behind is good dose of citrus fruit; very expressive on the nose. Palate is intense, flavours concentrated; most textured on the palate, richness again but with persistent acidity; unlike the others, this still has hints of primary fruits showing, citrus and even white stone fruits; certainly the most complex, one which gives you something different in each sip, all while lingering on the finish. Beautifully integrated, bright and very long future ahead of it.