Louis Roederer Philippe Starck Brut Nature 2018

// 55% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 20% Chardonnay and touch of Pinot blanc

31% of wines vinified in French oak

0g/L dosage

"The result of a free-spirited collaboration between the Louis Roederer Champagne House and creator Philippe Starck, this pared-down, zero-dosage champagne captures the essence of Cumières' black soils in a sunny vintage. Produced exclusively in warm, dry years, it reflects our vision of a “climate change laboratory” through its singular taste. Charming, delicate and refined, Brut Nature 2018 takes the generous character of the year and turns it into a wave of fruity, saline freshness. It exudes harmony and precision, revealing the exceptional limestone backbone created by these cool terroirs in Cumières." - House Notes 

"Roederer’s 2018 Brut Nature Blanc is stellar. That is evident from the very first taste. There is something different about the 2018, a level of dimension and complexity that supersedes anything Roederer has achieved with this cuvée in previous releasees. Much of that comes down to changes in élevage. Early vintages were made using a similar approach as with the other Roederer Champagnes. Wines were taken off the lees in December and then bottled around March/April. That resulted in Brut Natures that were a bit austere in feel. For the 2018, Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon opted to extend time on lees until spring, while also doing some stirring during that time to build texture, and then bottling in June, almost as if he was making a still wine. Where the 2018 truly shines in tasting. White flowers, lemon peel, chalk, slate and mint all race across the palate. This is Brut Nature, so bottled with no dosage, but that is not as evident here as it has been in previous editions, where the wine has at times felt a bit stark, no pun intended. This is the first vintage that includes a tiny amount of Pinot Blanc (1%), which presages future vintages where the field blend will include Arbanne, Petit Meslier and Pinot Gris as well. The 2018 is the best Brut Nature yet. I loved it." - 95 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

"The ripest and darkest Pinot Noir bunches were pre-harvested and macerated before pressing. Their juice lent the colour to this compelling pink wine that is slow to open. Gently, both orange peel and later also redcurrant compote rise from the glass, showing the future direction of travel. The palate is all sleekness, held in a firm and elegant frame that marshals the generosity of the fruit and underscores the clarity and brightness of the flavours. This still has to unfold and will do so beautifully with more bottle age." - 93 Points, Anne Krebiehl MW, Decanter