Louis Roederer : Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1999

A fine vintage champagne that allies complexity and smoothness

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" 1999 by Louis Roederer exudes the identity and nuances of two emblematic terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, namely Verzy and Chouilly.

The vintage

A year marked by stormy and windy conditions, 1999 began with an early start to the vineyard before a particularly hot and dry summer. In spite of these unstable conditions, this vintage exudes an alluringly harmonious alliance between power, concentration and delicacy.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification in oak (21%). No malolactic fermentation. The dosage of this Brut Champagne is 8g/litre.

The blend

Pinot Noir (60%)
Chardonnay (40%).

Louis Roederer's Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1999: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour
A beautiful golden hue, the colour reveals a very fine effervescence.

Nose
The expressive nose opens with fragrances of red fruit and candied citrus fruit. As the wine is aired, the bouquet reveals more complex notes of dried fruit (grilled hazelnuts), spices, cigar, but also slightly caramelised baked apple and a refreshing iodine note.

Palate
The ample and creamy palate is seduced by this wine’s liveliness, its smooth feel as well as its slightly roasted texture. Combining tannic structure and vivacity, the finish reveals its exceptional freshness.

Food and wine pairing

A risotto with green asparagus will complement this fine champagne by Louis Roederer.