Louis Roederer : Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1996

A vintage champagne with an alluring purity and concentration

The producer

Founded in 1776 in Reims, the Louis Roederer Champagne House has remained family-owned and independent. After over 200 years of existence, the Louis Roederer House is still owned by the same family. Today, headed by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the family’s seventh generation, Louis Roederer embodies the excellence of Champagne wines throughout the world, due to its vintages that are crafted like true works of art.

Comprising nearly 241 hectares of vines, the Louis Roederer House’s strength comes from its extraordinary vineyard, made up entirely of Grands and Premiers Crus in the Marne Valley, the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. An impressive patchwork of terroirs, the Louis Roederer vineyard is divided into 410 plots that reflect the diversity of the Champagne region’s soils.

The vineyard

‘’On the verge of maturity, still fresh, these champagnes, with an original disgorgement date, illustrate the ageing potential of Champagne wines and their formidable gastronomic dimension.’’ - Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon (Cellar Master).

With this first "Late Release" limited edition champagne, Louis Roederer unveils exceptional bottling stemming exclusively from the "La Montagne" vineyard, an emblematic Champagne terroir.

It is indeed on these parcels of the Montagne de Reims that the Roederer family adventure commenced following the acquisition of the first vines in the 1850s.

Vinified with precision and then aged in oak tuns before being aged for more than twenty years in the house’s tranquil and dark underground cellars, these five vintages (1999, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990) testify to the age-old history of the Louis Roederer Champagne House as they are an ode to the passing of time and to refined and noble gastronomic pairings.

The wine

Made exclusively from grapes grown in the "La Montagne" vineyard, this Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1996 by Louis Roederer exudes the identity and nuances of two emblematic terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, namely Verzy and Chouilly.

The vintage

A cold and dry start to the year, leading to an uneven flowering period, gave way to a summer marked by alternating heatwaves and significant rainfall. Despite these unstable conditions and a 20% water stress, this vintage is marked by its aromatic concentration, balance and freshness.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification in wood (7%). No malolactic fermentation. The dosage for this Brut Champagne is 9g/litre.

The blend

Pinot Noir (65%)
Chardonnay (35%).

Louis Roederer’s Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1996: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour
A beautiful golden hue, with amber reflections. The effervescence is very fine.

Nose

The intense, ample and concentrated nose exudes an alluring complexity and a wide aromatic palette. Apricots, roasted hazelnuts and hot stones are all fragrances that combine harmoniously with smoky and subtly iodized notes.

Palate

Combining vivacity and concentration, the palate exudes refreshing notes of orange peel and powdered chalk. The finish is persistent and suave, with notes of white pepper and very fine tannins.

Food and wine pairing

Turbot, scallop carpaccio or an unsweetened cocoa dessert will complement this Vintage Brut champagne.