Louis Roederer Collection 246 Brut Champagne

Crisp and sculptured with a long, tense and chalky finish.

Collection 246 is the 6th release of this multi-vintage cuvée which replaces the Brut Premier. The Collection 246 shares the same philosophy as the Jacquesson 7 series and Krug’s Edition wines, which are based on a younger vintage blended with some older reserve wines. A blend of 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 11% Meunier, it is based on the finest wines from the 2021 harvest (55%) and complemented by 35% of the Perpetual Reserve (2012-2020) and 10% of oak-aged reserve wines sourced from young Cristal vines (2012-2017). 
Exuberant mousse with a pale straw coloured base that has luminous pale gold edges and a nimble stream of bubbles coursing through it. Gorgeous, lifted aromatics with baked bread, yeast lees and pear scents trailed by some citrus and subtle roasted almond notes. Lighter and more delicate in style than the 245, mouth watering pear, citrus and yeasty baked bread flavours are sculptured by crisp acidity which provides it with a chiselled feel. Subtle cashew and chalky mineral elements lie underneath. The long, dry finish, tense and chalky.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews…..
The NV Brut Collection 246 is positively stellar. It’s a terrific example of where Roederer is going with this cuvée stylistically. Brisk saline notes cut through a core of orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. There are no hard angles or awkward contours. The 246 is based on 2021, an extremely tricky vintage for Champagne. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon bumped up the percentage of Chardonnay considerably and focused on Pinots from the Montagne de Reims. About 30% of the lots underwent malolactic fermentation to soften the edges. Twenty-four percent of the wines were fermented in oak, the rest in tank. The 246 is a blend of 55% base 2021 vintage wines described above, plus 30% perpetual reserve going back to 2012 (mostly from Cumières, Vertus and Verzy) in tank and 10% young-vine juice from Cristal plots aged in cask. The final blend is 54% Chardonnay (as opposed to the more typical 44%), 35% Pinot Noir and 11% Meunier. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. More importantly, the 246 is impeccably done and absolutely delicious. Drink 2025-2035.
93 points
Antonio Galloni - Vinous

This has pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossoms, grapefruit and chalk. It’s silky, fresh and beautifully balanced on the palate, with very soft bubbles. Based on 2021, with reserve wine from a perpetual reserve created in 2012, plus reserve wines kept in oak from 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Drink now.
93 points
JamesSuckling.com

A harmonious Champagne that shows impeccable balance, with depth and focus to its flavors of white cherry, Honeycrisp apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, while retaining vibrancy and grace. A chalky underpinning comes to the fore on the creamy finish, joining delicate spice and floral accents. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Drink now through 2030.
93 points
Wine Spectator