Champagne Louis Roederer Vintage 2016 is a vibrant tribute to Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims. This vintage illustrates the House's mastery of time and precision in blending. Made mainly from the historic vineyards of Verzy and Chouilly, it embodies the sunny maturity of the vintage and the chalky freshness typical of the Roederer style.
Presented here in a bottle, this Vintage 2016 combines richness and tension. Its silky texture, purity, and mineral depth make it a champagne of character, both gastronomic and luminous.
The production of Louis Roederer Vintage 2016
This vintage comes from the Montagne de Reims vineyard, where the Pinot Noirs of Verzy and the Chardonnays of Chouilly express the strength and finesse of this emblematic terroir. The year 2016 was marked by stark climatic contrasts: a wet spring followed by a dry, hot summer, then a healthy and bright harvest ensuring the grapes reached full maturity.
- Pinot Noir brings structure, ripe fruit, and fullness (68%).
- Chardonnay brings freshness, brightness, and salinity (32%).
The terroir
The Pinot Noirs come from Verzy, a compact chalk terroir where maturity is expressed in the depth of the fruit. The Chardonnays come from Chouilly, whose limestone soils impart integrity and length. This marriage of power and purity defines the signature of the 2016 Vintage.
Vinification
33% of the wines are vinified in wood, bringing volume and complexity. Malolactic fermentation is carried out on only 5% of the wine in order to preserve the natural freshness of the vintage. The dosage of 7 g/l balances the rich texture and mineral tension. This meticulous work aims to reveal the flesh of the fruit without artifice, in a pure and structured style.
The 2016 vintage
The year 2016 was marked by extreme weather conditions: a cool, wet spring followed by a hot, dry summer and a bright September. The harvest, from September 15 to October 1, produced grapes of exemplary maturity. The Pinot Noirs gained in fruity intensity and velvety texture, while the Chardonnays retained a salty freshness and crystalline precision.
The result: a complete, rich and precise vintage that combines density, purity and energy. A great Roederer with balance and depth.
Tasting of the 2016 Louis Roederer Vintage
Color
Shimmering golden gold with brilliant highlights. Fine, dynamic effervescence. The wine captures the light and reflects the maturity of the vintage.
Nose
Complex and refined bouquet: ripe red fruits (Burlat cherry, redcurrant), candied citrus fruits and dried fruits (hazelnut). With aeration, notes of warm chalk, fine powder and limestone millstone appear. Deep and harmonious overall.
Palate
Full-bodied and caressing, it unfolds a juicy and creamy texture with notes of nectarine and redcurrant. The fine, silky bubbles lengthen the texture. Long, salty and sapid finish, marked by a powdery minerality and hints of fine spices.
Food pairing suggestions
The fruity richness and creamy texture of the 2016 Vintage call for refined dishes based on poultry or noble fish. Its salinity and structured tension pair perfectly with dishes where the cooking and sauces play on the balance between sweetness and freshness.
- Lemon-marinated salmon
- Comté cheese gougères
- Langoustine tartare
- Roasted Bresse chicken
- Seared scallops
- Poached sea bass fillet
- Roasted peach with vanilla
- Baked apple with honey
- Light lemon tart
Storage and serving
Storing this vintage
Store the 2016 Vintage between 10 and 12°C, away from light and vibrations. Store bottles horizontally to maintain the humidity of the cork. Avoid temperature fluctuations. This vintage, built on a dense structure, will slowly blossom over time.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2024–2035. The wine will gain complexity and texture, developing brioche and hazelnut notes while retaining its salinity and brightness.
Serving
Serve at 10°C in tulip glasses. Avoid decanting. Allow to breathe for 10 minutes before tasting to reveal the richness of the fruit and the chalky depth of the wine.
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