Brut Premier, Louis Roederer

As well as a great price, this is a great wine and one of the favourites of me and my wine trade friends. The reason is simple; this proudly independent Champagne House owns most of its own vineyards and can make a perfect harmony of the grapes and the winemaking.

This brilliant cuvée is crafted using all 3 grape varieties exclusively from Roederer's own vines; pinot noir for body, chardonnay for freshness and minerality, pinot meunier for fruitiness. A little is matured in (old) oak casks the key to that creamy richness. Freshness is achieved thanks to the preservation of just a little of the tart acids in the fruit, and long aging on the lees brings coherence, harmony and complexity to the whole.

How does the wine taste?
Citrus, toasted brioche and hawthorn on the nose, it follows on to a fine mousse and a creamy texture that carries notes of white peach, lemon zest, almonds, candied peel, toast and a subtle savoury character on the finish. Talk about complexity! The whole is harmonious, rich and smooth yet eminently refreshing, and the finish lingers on for an age.