A chardonnay-dominant, fresh and vibrant wine with aromas of sliced pears, wildflowers, citrus blossoms and wet stones. The plate shows fresh acidity, minerality and subtle, pleasing notes of fresh bread. Citrus juice and peel in the finish. Lovely, easygoing and pleasurable. Mainly 2021 vintage. Disgorged July 2024. Good value. Drink or hold.
As with previous releases, the NV Brut is a 60-40 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a refined mousse and dry, crisp, lengthy layers of green apple, citrus, and a bite of brioche. With 10-12% reserve wine from cask, it represents from five to seven vintages in one bottle, from two to seven years old, the style of the house. The reserve aged in oak adds texture and length, broadening the Chardonnay’s natural citrus-driven notes and lightness of being. Disgorged April 2024, the amount of dosage has gone down year to year and is around 9 grams per liter this time around. Drink now and for the next 8-10 years.
#20 of Top 100, 2024. Dynamic yet sleekly elegant, with rich strawberry and apple flavors that are accented by spiced cinnamon and yeast roll as this dances toward the vibrant finish. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. (Smart Buys)
An enticing, toasty, nutty aroma leads to crisp and complex flavors in this medium-bodied wine that is braced by good acidity and a fine bead of bubbles. Subtle, mature notes complement the elegant texture.
The NV Estate Brut is scented of sour lemon, almonds and biscuits with flinty touches. The medium-bodied palate is rounded and creamy with bright, lemony character and a long, mineral-driven finish.
As fresh as crunchy apples in the fall, this wine opens to beautiful richness with air. There’s toasty character from the lees aging and brighter notes of red fruit, hinting at raspberries. A clean sparkler with impressive flavor depth, this serves equally well as a refreshing aperitif or a substantial dinner partner with seafood sausage.
I would happily drink this wine every day if there weren’t so many other wines in the world to taste. Its wonderful play of creamy yet kinetic textures, the custardy, limey flavours, and its impeccable focus all add up to one of the best ways possible to greet 6pm after a long work day. Roederer Estate was, in my opinion, the first California sparkling producer to achieve complexity in its wines – especially in the estate’s prestige cuvée, L’Ermitage. The Brut (sold as Quartet in the UK) is generally 60% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir.