Louis Roederer's cuvée Collection 242 bears this name because it is the 242nd blending of the House. To take the quality of the House's blends a step further, and to bring greater transparency to the blends, Louis Roederer has embarked on a new approach with the creation of this cuvée Collection.
Made from one-third each of grapes from the "La Rivière", "La Montagne" and "La Côte" vineyards, Collection is composed of a base vintage, reserve wines aged in wood, and wine from the "perpetual reserve", which follows the principles of the solera and was launched in 2012. Each edition of Collection is therefore unique, yet always representative of Roederer's identity and expertise. This Collection champagne is the worthy successor to Louis Roederer's Brut Premier.
Collection 242 is made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier grapes, 56% from the 2017 harvest, 10% from wood-aged reserve wines and 34% from perpetual reserves. Malolactic fermentation is partially carried out at 34% and the wine is dosed at 8 g/L Brut.
2017 was a year of contrasts, with a particularly hot, dry winter and spring, marked by intense frost from April 17 to 29, with 12 nights of frost. This was followed by a gloomy, wet and cool summer, ending with a quasi-tropical late August that favored a significant progression of gray rot. Harvesting took place from August 31 to September 9, with demanding, methodical sorting.
The blend of Collection 242 is based on a predominance of very ripe Chardonnays, giving the blend notes of ripe fruit, sweetness and light oak. Pinots Noirs and Meuniers round out the wine's gourmet, velvety, broad, juicy character. The finish is fresh and dynamic.
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