Fascinated by the diversity of aromas expressed by the Pinot Noir variety in Champagne, Louis Roederer decided to base its Vintage Brut on the structure and power of the Montagne de Reims Pinot Noirs—specifically in the historic cru of Verzy. These north-easterly facing vineyards take longer to ripen, producing wines that can sometimes be rough and confined at the start of the maturing process. However, their personality develops remarkably, becoming more intense over time when matured in wood. The Chardonnay is sourced from estate vineyards in the Côte des Blancs cru of Chouilly. 

In 1850, Roederer decided to buy over 37 acres in the Verzenay Grand Cru in order to have better control over how the grapes in this cuvée were used. Today, the House's 600 acres of estate vineyards are located in the best exposures throughout the region and are farmed using organic and biodynamic practices.

The wine, 33% of which is vinified in oak casks and 5% of which undergoes malolactic fermentation, is aged for 4 years in the cellars and left for a minimum of 6 months after disgorging to attain the perfect maturity. The dosage is 7 g/l.

Harvests from September 15th to October 1st, 2016.

Shimmering golden hue with bright highlights. Very fine, even and fast-flowing bubbles. The gently toasted and powdery bouquet discloses a blend of ripe, sweet, juicy red fruit (Burlat cherry and redcurrant jam foam), candied, roasted citrus fruit, and dried nuts (hazelnuts) wrapped in soft roasted notes. After a short aeration, the wine reveals notes of a more mineral nature: warm, damp chalk and calcareous millstone heated by the sun. The palate is complex, generous and kaleidoscopic. It commences with a juicy, creamy body in which the ripe fruit comes through again in the form of nectarine. It is like biting into the fruit! The creamy, silky bubbles dance lightly across the palate and tongue, drawing out and lengthening the creamy substance leaving a rich yet translucent imprint. We have the impression of completeness created by some mineral and textured elements, which are underpinned by spicy, oaky, powdery and almost camphorous notes. The finish is long, textured, saline and sapid.

The 2016 vintage was characterised by particularly marked weather variations: spring was cool, wet and relatively late whereas summer was warm and dry with a heatwave in late August followed by dry and sunny weather over the harvest period which was highly beneficial to the ripening of the grapes. Our Pinot noirs thrived in these dry, sunny conditions and the heat has given them an intensely fruity character and silky smooth texture. The Chardonnays are just as outstanding although more chiselled and saline in character.