Louis Roederer Collection 246 Brut Champagne

FRIARWOOD SAYS. Collection numbers mark each new multi-vintage blend since 1776; Collection 246 is built on the 2021 base year and shows the series at its most vibrant and chisel-cut. It spends almost four years in Roederer’s cellars before release and folds in both a Perpetual Reserve and oak-aged reserve wines for depth – a precise, gastronomic style that drinks beautifully now yet will gain nuance with time.. ABOUT THE WINE. Family-owned Louis Roederer created Collection to replace Brut Premier, fine-tuning balance each year with a numbered cuvée. Collection 246 is composed of 55% wines from the 2021 harvest, 35% Perpetual Reserve, and 10% oak-aged reserve wines from earlier years. The blend is 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier; dosage ~7 g/L. Around 24% of the wines were vinified in large oak foudres; ~30% underwent malolactic, contributing texture while keeping the line of freshness. Roederer emphasises the high share of Chardonnay in 2021 and the “heroic vintage” conditions that demanded meticulous selection.. TASTING NOTES. Bright, tensile and finely layered. Notes of mirabelle plum, candied citrus and ripe orchard fruit glide into subtle toast and an iodised, saline nuance. The palate is vibrant and airy yet complete, with a chalk-toned finish that carries superb length. A poised, food-friendly Champagne with hallmark Roederer elegance.. FOOD PAIRING. Exquisite with oysters, caviar and sashimi, or seared scallops and citrus beurre blanc; also excellent with gougères, roast poultry, or soft cheeses where its saline drive and clarity shine.