Louis Roederer : Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1990

A delicate and complex vintage champagne by Louis Roederer

The producer

Founded in 1776 in Reims, the Louis Roederer Champagne House has remained family-owned and independent. After over 200 years of existence, the Louis Roederer House is still owned by the same family. Today, headed by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the family’s seventh generation, Louis Roederer embodies the excellence of Champagne wines throughout the world, due to its vintages that are crafted like true works of art.

Comprising nearly 241 hectares of vines, the Louis Roederer House’s strength comes from its extraordinary vineyard, made up entirely of Grands and Premiers Crus in the Marne Valley, the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. An impressive patchwork of terroirs, the Louis Roederer vineyard is divided into 410 plots that reflect the diversity of the Champagne region’s soils.

The vineyard

‘’On the verge of maturity, still fresh, these champagnes, with an original disgorgement date, illustrate the ageing potential of Champagne wines and their formidable gastronomic dimension.’’ - Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon (Cellar Master).

With this first "Late Release" limited edition champagne, Louis Roederer unveils exceptional bottling stemming exclusively from the "La Montagne" vineyard, an emblematic Champagne terroir.

It is indeed on these parcels of the Montagne de Reims that the Roederer family adventure commenced following the acquisition of the first vines in the 1850s.

Vinified with precision and then aged in oak tuns before being aged for more than twenty years in the house’s tranquil and dark underground cellars, these five vintages (1999, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1990) testify to the age-old history of the Louis Roederer Champagne House as they are an ode to the passing of time and to refined and noble gastronomic pairings.

The wine

Made exclusively from grapes grown in the "La Montagne" vineyard, this Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1990 by Louis Roederer exudes the identity and nuances of two emblematic terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, namely Verzy and Chouilly.

The vintage

A mild, rainy winter preceded a spring marked by frosts along with an uneven flowering period that led to run-off and millerandage. The summer was sunny, hot and dry, and ended with a month of August where the high temperatures enabled the Pinot Noir grapes to ripen beautifully. Despite these extreme conditions and water stress (18%) that was not excessive, this vintage stands out due to its concentration and velvety feel.

Vinification and ageing

Vinification in wood (4%). No malolactic fermentation. The dosage of this Brut champagne is 8g/litre.

The blend

Pinot Noir (58%)
Chardonnay (42%).

Brut Late Release Vintage "La Montagne" 1990 by Louis Roederer: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour
This champagne showcases a beautiful golden hue with amber highlights. The effervescence is particularly fine.

Nose
The nose blends fruity (red fruit, apricot), spicy (saffron) and floral (immortal sand) fragrances with notes of leather, cocoa and turron.

Palate
The full and precise palate reveals a superb texture reminiscent of the velvety texture of perfectly concentrated and candied red fruit. Throughout the tasting, the palate blends refreshing chalky notes with woody notes that weave into a persistent and delicious finish.

Food and wine pairing

A lamb tajine or an old Comté cheese will complement this Vintage Brut champagne.