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100% Chardonnay – 10% of the wines have been matured in wood (oak tuns) with weekly batonnage – no malolactic fermentation. The Blanc de Blancs 2009 cuvée has been drawn off at low pressure to ensure a fuller, richer flow of bubbles. The wine has been matured for an average of 5 years in the cellars and left to rest for 6 months after disgorging to complete its maturation. Dosage: 9 g/l.
Wine Description
The Story
From 1830 onwards, the House of Louis Roederer acquired extensive knowledge of the terroirs and plot-by-plot vinification, and mastered the effervescence. In the heart of the Côte des Blancs, where the Chardonnay grapes attain optimal maturity on the calcareous soils, Louis Roederer has selected two exceptional grands crus: Mesnil-sur-Oger and Avize, whose unique characteristics and complementarity enable the House to produce taut, highly aromatic wines that have finesse.
100% Chardonnay, the Blanc de Blancs Vintage cuvée is generally matured on lees for five years and left for a minimum of 6 months after dégorgement (disgorging) to attain perfect maturity.
In the mouth, the attack is typically Chardonnay—it is smooth and delicate, and markedly sweet. Slightly sweetened floral notes and white fruit and dried fruit notes are combined with the almost chalky minerality of the Côte des Blancs. The texture has notes of sugared almond, a sensation that is strengthened by a soft effervescence that envelops the mouth. This is followed by an impression of finesse, elegance, and freshness, strengthened by suggestions of fresh mint and basil.
Wine Information
The winter in the Champagne region was a classic cold and dry one, which favoured highly homogeneous bud-break at particularly late dates: on 10 April for the Chardonnay.
The spring brought rainy and warm conditions, although rainfall was irregular, which resulted in a very heterogeneous development of the vines at the crucial flowering phase.From the end of July until the end of the harvest, the Champagne region again experienced very continental, exceptionally hot and dry conditions. The warm sunlight in August prompted maturity in optimal conditions, with virtually inexistent rainfall throughout the months of August and September.
The harvests began on 10 September for the Chardonnays of the Côte des Blancs.
Vintage 2009
This warm year started with a cold winter and mild spring temperatures. Early summer was variable but August and September provided ample sunshine and warmth contributing to fine grape health. Pinot Noir especially excelled. Grape harvest, of generally high sugar content yet soft acidity, started on September 8th. 2009 is a year of generous wines that showed well early. An apt example of a vintage of the recent era, in which retaining freshness poses more problems than attaining ripeness. Good grape health contributed to the overall quality, and despite the richness of the wines, heaviness did not end up being an issue. There is quite some heterogenity amongst the year's produce but the best seem truly age-worthy. The vintage's finest include Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Dom Pérignon and Philipponnat Clos des Goisses.