Champagne Louis Roederer, Collection 244

€69.99

We were slightly surprised at this...

Louis Roederer's best-selling and class-leading Brut Reserve is no more. The decision to replace it with a multi-vintage blend was met with something of a mixture of surprise, enthusiasm, scepticism, hope and disappointment. A funny blend in its own right...

The quality is simply spectacular: if you like Champagne at all, get into this. It is a seriously accomplished wine that, on its fist release, rivals some of the best-known vintage wines in the market.

Complexity, finesse, body and layers of delicious flavours mark this as a significant cut above the Brut that it has replaced. Ripe apple, pear, plum and ever-so subtle notes of spice and orange peel are supported by an acidic backbone that demands one of two things: food, or a second glass.

What is it?

Now in its second ‘vintage’ number bottling, this is a Champagne made from three parts: the best of the most recent vintage (in this case the very fine and Chardonnay-heavy 2018); wines that come from their oak-aged reserve wines and finally a new source, their Perpetual Reserve. This third needs some explaining - it is a new concept that began in 2012 that is a vast steel tank of wine that is added to at each vintage and also removed as needed for the blending process. It's very much like a Solera system in Sherry, but without the flor or the oak barrels. Or PX. Gently maturing and combatting, so the plan goes, some of the more alarming vintages that have peaks and troughs in temperatures, making traditional blending so challenging.

Because of the sourcing of soils in a more creative way than had been done for the Brut Premier, the acid levels are higher than ever, the pH levels are lower than ever, making it fresher than ever, while because of the age of the reserve wines, it is rounder and richer than ever. Confused? Well, perhaps try it. the effort to maintain a house style was becoming unsustainable and increasingly difficult with changing climates. This concept will by definition create more interesting wines that grab our attention. Based on this Collection, it's well-deserved.

During the First World War much of the Roederer's many vineyards were ruined. In the decades that followed, the house restored and replanted these vineyards, but as they were able to use far less of their own grapes, a decision was made to buy in grapes from other vineyards and create a multi-vintage blend: the first time Roederer had done so. Now, in response to the seemingly unstoppable increase in vineyard temperatures, the concept of what the region should express has changed in Roederer's eyes. This, a celebration of their 243rd harvest in 2018, is a very positive response that should yield many more fascinating and delicious wines to come.

Region: Champagne

Country: France

Grape(s): Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay

Style: Vibrant, Medium Bodied, Meditation, Intense, Fresh, Elegant, Electric, Crisp, Complex, Bright

Best food matches: Trout, Sushi, St Stephen's Day, Shellfish, Scallops, Poultry, Oysters, Lobster, Goat's Cheese, Game, Fine Dining, Duck, Christmas Dinner, Cheeses, Charcuterie, Asparagus, Aperitif

Alcohol: 12.5%

Why buy from us?

When you buy wine from The Allotment Wine Co. you're helping a small Irish company that in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers who grow the grapes and make amazing wines. We only work with partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.

Delivery & Returns

You'll get free delivery when you buy 12 x 75cl bottles of wine online from The Allotment, saving you €7.99.

We charge €7.99 per delivery for quantities less than that.

Our hours for processing orders are between 9am - 6pm Monday to Friday.

We pack your online wine order along the following timelines:

Wine orders for delivery in Dublin, received before 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected the next working day.

Wine orders for nationwide delivery, received by 12pm on weekdays are prepared so that delivery should be expected two working days later.

Customer reviews

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Great choice and excellent service. Received my delivery the next day.
Paul H.
★★★★★
Amazing service from the get go!
I emailed Chris looking for wine recommendations for a birthday gift. Got a really speedy, helpful reply and not only that but he hand delivered it on time to the birthday girl wishing her a happy birthday. Absolutely bowled over by the service. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Michelle McM.
★★★★★
Could not recommend The Allotment enough. The selection is fantastic and each wine that I've drank from them has been utterly phenomenal. Delivery was no hassle and I had the wine at my door in 2 days. Couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Luke B.
★★★★★
Good range of interesting wines. Good personal attention to their orders. Very customer focused. I would be happy to recommend this company to any prospective customer.
Jim D.
★★★★★
A great experience ordering from The Allotment Wine Company. A wide variety of wines to try something new and at good prices with super quick delivery! Really convenient too as opposed to trying to find parking!
N. Dowling
★★★★★
Delicious and interesting range of wines delivered promptly to my door. Not far off that lovely feeling of coming back laden from a good wine store but without any of the traffic or the worry of breaking the wine en route (very impressive travel wrap).
M. Dorman
★★★★★
Chris fields a fine range of excellent, keenly-priced wines. Orders are safely packaged and dispatched efficiently and promptly. Strongly recommended.
David M.
★★★★★
Great selection of wines, hassle free ordering, payment and delivery. Highly recommended.
Patrick H.
Hi, I'm Chris Gifford.

And you're very welcome to The Allotment Wine Co.

When you wine from me, you're supporting a small Irish business which in turn supports small, sustainable wine producers, as well as other small, dedicated Irish wine importers.

When selecting wines, I look for partners who share a deep respect and connection with the land and its traditions, witnessed in a firm commitment to quality and sustainability. All of which makes for better wines.