2012 Louis Roederer Vintage Champagne

From the outstanding yet underrated 2012 vintage this is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, 30% of which is matured in oak. Aged on lees for 4 years the wine is then given a minimum 6 months bottle age after disgorgement.

Frothy and satiny the mousse slowly dissipates to reveal a pale straw, pale gold base that’s threaded by an exceptionally persistent and very fine stream of tiny bubbles. A superb nose of yeast lees, baked bread, citrus, oily toast like notes, cashew and light brioche show great potency. Rich and powerful, yeasty baked bread, cashew and dried honey flavours are creamy in their feel yet at the same time mouth watering. Oily toast, citrus and almond elements present themselves on the dry, crisp finish. Fantastic drive and refinement with a very persistent aftertaste that lingers long on the taste buds. Magnificent drinking.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12%

Other Reviews….
Just over two-thirds pinot noir (Verzenay) and the balance southeast-facing chardonnay from Chouilly. This has 30% of oak fermentation which has compressed the wine, lending it an air of extreme concentration. The nose is gently spicy, offering peaches and cherries as well as neat autolysis edge. The palate has a powerful, long and assertive feel, with peach and lemon pith, chalky minerals, and some grapefruit. A powerful vintage for Roederer.
96 points
JamesSuckling.com

This beautiful wine, with its poise, elegance and balance, has both a steely mineral core and an outer ripe-fruit character. It has citrus, tight acidity and rich apple and green-plum flavors. The wine is still a little young and will be better from 2019.
95 points
Wine Enthusiast