James Suckling
Jeb Dunnuck
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Based on the 2018 vintage and complemented by reserve wines from a solera established in 2012, as well as younger foudre-aged reserve wines, Roederer’s newly released NV Brut Collection 243 is a pillowy, enveloping Champagne evocative of crisp stone fruits, honeycomb, white flowers and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, with an ample core of fruit, bright acids and a saline finish, it will offer demonstrative drinking on release.
A vibrant Champagne that’s fine and creamy on the palate, almost plush, but bright and well-balanced throughout. Reveals a chalky base note that underscores layers of ripe pear and nectarine fruit, mandarin orange peel, oyster shell and chamomile. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Drink now.
The second release of Roederer’s Brut Collection is based on the 2018 vintage, working with both estate and contracted fruit. The blend includes a contribution from a perpetual reserve established in 2012 (31 percent) as well as oak-aged reserves (10 percent). One taster described the clarity of the color as yellow topaz, while the flavors work in ginger, lemon and pale chalk. Generous and savory.