The Collection 245 cuvée from Louis Roederer is a significant departure from the house's usual style. Presented here in a jeroboam (3 L) format in a wooden case, this multi-vintage creation embodies the audacity and vision of Cellar Master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon: " Climate change has become an opportunity..."
The production of Louis Roederer Collection 245 Champagne
The cuvée is made from a blend of 55% of the 2020 harvest, complemented by 35% from the Réserve Perpétuelle and 10% from reserve wines aged in wood. The aim was to create a rich, dense and deep wine, while preserving the characteristic freshness of the Louis Roederer style.
- Chardonnay (41%) brings freshness, brightness and purity.
- Pinot Noir (35%) brings structure, energy, and red fruit.
- Pinot Meunier (24%) brings suppleness, white fruit, and mineral sweetness.
The terroir
The Collection 245 blend draws on three great terroirs of Champagne: the Montagne de Reims ("the Mountain"), the Vallée de la Marne ("the River") and the Côte des Blancs ("the Coast") — each accounting for one third of the blend. All the plots have been redefined to favor chalk or limestone subsoils, offering freshness and aging potential.
Vinification
The wines from the 2020 harvest are vinified in the traditional manner, then aged for up to four years in the cellar before being released for sale. The Réserve Perpétuelle and the reserve wines aged in wood contribute to the complexity and depth. The dosage is set at 7 g/L, in keeping with the richness of the blend.
The 2020 harvest
The 2020 harvest was characterized by a dry, continental climate that allowed for optimal ripeness, producing rich, concentrated, and aromatic grapes. Collection 245 translates this abundance into a generous and flavorful wine, while retaining the house's signature freshness and chalkiness.
Tasting notes
Color
Bright gold with straw-colored highlights. Fine, regular effervescence, expressing the wine's density and fullness.
Nose
Rich bouquet of ripe yellow fruits, citrus, and smoky or woody notes from the reserve wines. An intense and complex expression.
Palate
Full-bodied texture, coming from the flesh and fruit, while displaying a beautiful limestone freshness. Elegant, salty and persistent finish.
Food pairing
The richness of this cuvée and its mineral tension invite gastronomic pairings. A generous but precise wine, to be paired with flavorful and refined dishes.
- Gougères with aged Comté cheese
- Smoked salmon with dill
- Langoustine tartare
- Roasted sea bass with candied lemon juice
- Roast pigeon with yellow wine
- Risotto with truffles and Parmesan shavings
- Thin pear and ginger tart
- Vanilla panna cotta & seasonal fruits
- Light citrus cheesecake
Storage and serving
How to store this vintage
Store the Collection 245 Jeroboam in a cellar at 10–12°C, away from light and vibrations, with humidity around 70%. The jeroboam format promotes harmonious aging; this wine can wait longer to reveal its full complexity.
Aging potential
Aging potential: 16 years. During the first 6 years, the wine will reveal its fruity density and limestone freshness. After 7 to 13 years, it will gain in complexity: dried fruit, acacia honey, mellow oak. After about 15 years, it will enter a phase of noble maturity, with a structure that is still very present.
How to serve Collection 245
We recommend serving this cuvée at 9–10°C in a tulip glass or a Zalto Universal. Pour in two stages to preserve the finesse of the bubbles and allow the dense aromatics to unfold. The jeroboam calls for an atmosphere of sharing and exceptionality.
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