2012 Louis Roederer Rose Brut Champagne Magnum

A great rosé champagne must be made from very ripe grapes, which are sometimes difficult to obtain in the Champagne climate. As a result, Louis Roederer has chosen to invest in one of the earliest Champagne crus, Cumières, for which the steeply-sloping, shallow clay and limestone soils face south and benefit from the additional light reflected from the river Marne, enabling phenolic maturity to be achieved. In these select terroirs, Louis Roederer applies the precise winemaking methods required for the production of a saignée rosé. The style of this rosé is elegant, full-bodied and with delicate fruitiness (red fruits). Louis Roederer Brut Rosé is 100% estate-bottled from the grapes of the historic family-owned vineyards.

THE VINTAGE

2012 was one of the most challenging and complicated years ever experienced in Champagne. Yet difficult conditions often lead to great things… The low yields, due to the vagaries of the weather, combined with continental conditions towards the end of the season, gave us unusual levels of maturity, resulting in rich, full-bodied and structured wines worthy of the greatest vintages in Champagne.

TASTING NOTES

On the eye: Golden pink hue with bright red tints. Exceptionally fine, lively sparkle forming even, persistent streams of bubbles.

On the nose: Intense bouquet of ripe fruit (blackcurrant) and candied orange, accompanied by subtle notes of orange blossom and Madagascar vanilla. The bouquet is very stable, dense and opens out slowly to reveal a deep, sweet character.

On the palate: Smooth and full-bodied on entry to the palate. Its ripe, warm palate is both tactile (silky texture) and rounded (ripe, sweet anthocyanins with an almost liquorous consistency), and is lengthened by a fresh, chalky finish. Subtle notes of hazelnut and cocoa beans linger on the end palate.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Varietals: 63% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay

Aging: 4 years