Description & elaboration
The Vintage 2018 cuvée from Louis Roederer is a vintage champagne shaped by the vineyards of the Montagne de Reims. It offers notes of citrus fruit, red berries, and a distinctive iodine touch. On the palate, the texture is taut and juicy, a reflection of a sun-drenched harvest. A rare cuvée, crafted with jeweller's precision under the direction of cellar master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, delivered in its presentation case.
The Vintage displays a tauter profile than the Collection cuvée, the house's classic non-vintage blend. The contribution of wines aged in oak barrels enriches the aromatic density. This construction responds to the sunny, concentrated character of the 2018 vintage.
The Terroir
The grapes come from the Verzy terroirs for the Pinot Noir, and from Chouilly for the Chardonnay. Both villages are classified Grand Cru. Verzy, located on the northern slope of the Montagne de Reims, benefits from a north-facing exposure that slows berry ripening and preserves their natural acidity.
The subsoil is composed of pure chalk and limestone soils. The roots of the Verzy vines plunge deep into this porous rock, drawing water from its depths during dry summers. This geology imparts a characteristic mineral tension to the wine, perceptible from the very first sip.
The chalky salinity ensures a persistent sensation of freshness on the finish. The estate incorporates biodynamic practices in its biodiversity management and holds the Viticulture Durable en Champagne certification. Mechanical interventions on the limestone soils are kept to a strict minimum.
The winemaking
The blend comprises 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon limits the malolactic fermentation on this cuvée. This choice preserves the natural acidity of the musts and balances the richness of a harvest picked at high ripeness levels.
The blend incorporates 28% still wines aged in oak barrels, which develop notes of hazelnut and toasted bread. This method adds roundness and aromatic complexity without weighing down the structure. The wine then spends 48 months ageing on lees, encouraging brioche-like aromas.
A dosage of 7 g/L classifies this champagne as brut.
Also worth discovering: Blanc de Pinots Noirs.
The 2018 vintage
The year 2018 marked a sunny climatic cycle in Champagne. Unlike 2017, the season saw a dry and warm summer, preceded by a rainy winter that thoroughly replenished the water table.
The summer sunshine accelerated the ripening of the bunches. In Verzy, the Pinot Noir developed a high sugar concentration. The Chardonnay from Chouilly, for its part, expresses clean citrus aromas, bringing freshness to the blend.
The wine combines fruit richness with chalky tension. The attack on the palate reveals a structure shaped by the terroir, while the finish unfolds a noble bitterness from the Pinot Noir. The balance between sugars and acidity makes the wine approachable from today.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The Vintage 2018 cuvée has a luminous appearance. It displays a golden hue with delicate copper highlights.
Nose
The nose delivers delicate notes of red fruits and citrus. A subtle iodine touch underlines the aromatic profile. Aeration releases nuances of warm brioche and nuts.
Palate
The attack on the palate offers a juicy and caressing texture. The effervescence integrates with flavours of vineyard peach. The finish concludes with a sensation of saline, chalky freshness.
Pairing suggestions
- Aged comté gougères
- Smoked salmon on blinis
- Aged Iberian ham
- Veal fillet with morel mushrooms
- Sea bass roasted in sea salt
- Risotto with scallops
- Creamy aged Chaource
- Thin apricot tart
- Almond macarons
The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion
Why I love it
What captivates me here is this caressing, finely chiselled texture. I love the balance between the savoury roundness and the zesty freshness, carried by notes of tangy red fruits and an iodine finish.
My recommendation
Serve this champagne at 8–10 °C in a wine glass to fully appreciate its balance between savoury softness and freshness.
Advice
How to store this champagne?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75 cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for champagne transport. After receipt, we recommend storing the bottle on its side, away from light — its protective case provides an effective first line of defence. Ideally in a cellar, or at the very least in a cool, not too dry environment, at a relatively stable temperature.
Ageing potential
The Vintage 2018 cuvée from Louis Roederer will evolve favourably over the next fifteen years. Its cellaring potential is estimated at around 12 to 15 years depending on storage conditions.
- Until 2028: the wine expresses vibrant notes of citrus and red fruits, in a fresh and fruity register.
- From 2029: over the years, aromas of pastry, brioche, and toasted hazelnut will enrich the indulgent profile.
- Around 2035: time will have worked its magic, revealing deeper notes of toasted hazelnut and warm spices, in a complex and spiced register.
Serving advice
Serve at a temperature of 10 to 12 °C. Using a tulip-shaped glass concentrates the citrus aromas and encourages the expression of iodine notes. Ten minutes of aeration releases the aged aromas derived from the partial barrel fermentation.
A note about this cuvée
Louis Roederer owns 242 hectares of vines, a rare holding in Champagne that ensures precise control over grape sourcing. This parcel-by-parcel mastery is reflected in the prestige cuvée of this historic house. The acquisition in Verzy speaks to a deep attachment to the chalky terroir.
The combination of Pinot Noir and extended bottle ageing defines the signature of the Vintage. This structure echoes the profile of a vintage blend sourced from the finest grands crus. The oak modulates the chalky expression without masking the underlying mineral tension.
