Louis Roederer, Collection 246 Brut NV Champagne
Product Information
Country France
Region Champagne
Grape Variety 54% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 11% Meunier
ABV 12.5%
Louis Roederer Collection 246 Champagne represents a new era for one of Champagne’s most prestigious houses. Created to replace the iconic Brut Premier, Collection 246 is a refined, non-vintage Champagne that combines freshness, precision and depth through exceptional vineyard sourcing and innovative winemaking.
Built around the 2021 harvest, one of the most challenging in recent Champagne history, this Brut NV Champagne showcases Louis Roederer’s mastery of blending, terroir expression and long-term reserve management. Elegant yet energetic, it is widely regarded as one of the finest non-vintage Champagnes available in the UK.
Champagne Overview
Producer: Champagne Louis Roederer
Region: Champagne, France
Style: Brut Non-Vintage (NV)
Alcohol: 12.5%
Dosage: 7 g/l
Closure: Cork
Grape Varieties
54% Chardonnay
35% Pinot Noir
11% Meunier
The high proportion of Chardonnay gives Collection 246 its signature finesse, chalky minerality and saline freshness, reminiscent of a Blanc de Blancs style.
Vineyards & Terroir
Louis Roederer owns 250 hectares of estate vineyards, an extraordinary asset in Champagne, with 90% classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru. These vineyards are located across the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs.
For Collection 246, vineyard selection is taken to an exceptional level of precision. Fruit is sourced from three distinct vineyard identities:
“La Rivière”
Contributing structure, depth and Pinot-driven richness.
“La Montagne”
Providing power, aromatic intensity and balance.
“La Côte”
Delivering Chardonnay purity, tension and chalky salinity.
Estate-grown grapes are complemented by fruit from long-term partner growers, carefully selected from the “Heart of the Terroir”. Every bunch is rigorously selected both in the vineyard and at pressing to ensure absolute quality.
Winemaking & The Perpetual Reserve
A defining element of Louis Roederer Collection 246 Champagne is the Perpetual Reserve, first established in 2012. Each year, wines from the latest harvest are added to this reserve and stored in large, oxygen-free stainless-steel vats, creating a continuously evolving reserve of complexity, freshness and energy.
The 246th Blend
55% wines from the 2021 harvest
35% Perpetual Reserve wines (2012–2020)
10% oak-aged reserve wines (2012–2017)
Approximately 24% of the wines are vinified in large French oak foudres, a Louis Roederer hallmark that adds texture, subtle spice and salinity. Partial malolactic fermentation (30%) preserves vibrancy while enhancing mouthfeel.
Vintage Insight: 2021
The 2021 growing season was one of the most demanding Champagne has faced since 1958, with frost, disease pressure and reduced yields. Thanks to meticulous vineyard work and strict selection, Louis Roederer produced wines of remarkable purity and tension, ideally suited to the Collection philosophy.
Harvest took place between 13 and 30 September 2021.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Bright, luminous champagne colour with a fine and persistent mousse.
Nose: Yellow fruits such as mirabelle plum and nectarine lead, followed by candied lemon, vanilla and gentle toasted notes from oak ageing. Subtle reductive aromas of shellfish and smoke add precision and complexity.
Palate: Light, delicate and beautifully sculpted. Peach and floral pollen flavours glide across a creamy yet vibrant mousse. Chalky, savoury sensations create a mouth-watering tension, while the finish is long, serene and lifted by smoky, toasty notes from the Perpetual Reserve.
Overall Style: Precise, elegant and refreshing, with outstanding balance and salinity.
Wine Critics’ Scores & Tasting Notes
Antonio Galloni – Vinous: 93 Points
“Positively stellar… brisk saline notes cut through orchard fruit, mint, white pepper and slate. Impeccably done and absolutely delicious.”
Alison Napjus – Wine Spectator: 93 Points
“A harmonious Champagne with impeccable balance, offering white cherry, apple, tangerine peel and biscuit, all carried by vibrant acidity.”
James Suckling: 93 Points
“Pretty and elegant aromas of pears, apple blossom, grapefruit and chalk. Silky, fresh and beautifully balanced with soft bubbles.”
Peter Moser – Falstaff: 94 Points
“Fresh and complex, with white tropical fruit, lime zest and smoky-mineral undertones. Juicy, persistent and finely structured.”
Helena Nicklin – Decanter: 92 Points
“Expressive and well-balanced, with fine acidity, saline character and excellent length.”
Jeb Dunnuck: 93+ Points
“Pure, vibrant and precise, with citrus, white peach and refined mousse.”
Food Pairing Suggestions
Fresh oysters and shellfish
Smoked salmon or tuna tartare
Roast chicken with lemon and herbs
Soft cheeses such as Brie or Chaource
Discover our range of Louis Roederer wines.
FAQs
Q. Is Louis Roederer Collection 246 vintage Champagne?
A. No. It is a non-vintage Champagne, combining the 2021 harvest with reserve wines for added complexity.
Q. What does ‘246’ refer to?
A. It marks Louis Roederer’s 246th harvest, with each Collection release reflecting the evolving reserve and dominant vintage.
Q. How long can it be aged?
A. Drink now for freshness, or cellar for 5–10 years for added complexity.
Discover the Heritage of Champagne Louis Roederer
Founded in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer remains one of the few family-owned Champagne houses, now in the hands of the 7th generation, led by Frédéric Rouzaud. With over 240 hectares of Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards, Louis Roederer controls every aspect of production from vine to bottle, ensuring the highest quality in every cuvée.
Certified Organic and Biodynamic Champagne
Since 2000, Champagne Louis Roederer has pioneered organic and biodynamic Champagne farming. Today, 100% of their vineyards follow organic practices, with half also certified biodynamic, making Roederer the largest organic grower in the Champagne region.
This commitment to sustainable viticulture improves grape quality and enhances the terroir expression in every bottle. As Frédéric Rouzaud says:
“At Maison Louis Roederer, the great artist is Nature.”
