The story of “Brut Nature” began at Louis Roederer in the unusually warm and sunny 2003, where most vineyards in Champagne showed signs of “stress.” However, at Roederer, it was discovered that some of the family’s vineyards, on highly chalky or clay-rich soils near Epernay in Cumières, Hautvillers, and Vertus, which were originally part of a single estate, were able to handle the heat and especially the drought without any problems.
Fate had it that Frédéric Rouzaud – the 7th generation at the helm after Louis Roederer – met the French designer and architect Philippe Starck at this time, and the idea of involving him in the creation of the new wine was born. In collaboration with Frédéric Rouzaud and his team, Philippe Starck has thus helped define the philosophy of the wine. Three things must be prioritized: the natural, with respect for the vineyards and the plants (biodynamic cultivation), the simple, with gentle winemaking techniques (long fermentation in wooden barrels, no technical interventions, biodynamic methods), and finally, the elegance in the wine. The grape composition and balance of the wine should support the origin and the vintage. Brut Nature was only produced in the vintages 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2015.
2015 was an outstanding vintage in Champagne, with the right climatic conditions regarding warmth and rain, providing a perfect balance between concentration and freshness. Brut Nature 2015 is made from 26% Chardonnay, 37% Pinot Noir, and 17% Pinot Meunier from Cumières. After the first fermentation, 23% of the wine was aged in wooden barrels, and the rest in tanks – without malolactic fermentation. The secondary fermentation in the bottle lasted 5 years. No “liqueur de dosage” was added during disgorgement, making the wine quite dry. After disgorgement, the wine was further aged for 6 months before shipping.
The long fermentation in the bottle gives beautiful, persistent, fine bubbles. The wine has a deep, bright, golden color. The aroma reveals notes of ripe and preserved fruits (citrus fruits, peach, baked apples), vanilla, and nuts. On the palate, the wine has a wonderful harmony between the exotic fruit tones and strength, along with plenty of freshness and purity at the finish. A perfect champagne for gastronomy.
Champagne Louis Roederer is undoubtedly in a very privileged position, owning 214 hectares of the best vineyards in Champagne, making them almost self-sufficient in grapes. The vineyards are fairly evenly distributed in the 3 best regions in Champagne – Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne, and Côte des Blancs, and cover 80-85% of Louis Roederer’s total grape needs. 97% of the vineyards are classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru, and the same fine classification applies to the vineyards in Bouzy and Ambonnay, where they purchase the rest of the grapes they need.
For many years, Louis Roederer has gradually sought to adapt their production to the most sustainable principles – including organic/biodynamic cultivation. They have already achieved DEMETER certification (biodynamic farming) for the vineyards that produce the grapes for the house’s finest brand, Cristal. From the 2021 vintage, an additional 115 hectares of vineyards have achieved organic certification, and the remaining vineyards will follow.
The winemaking process takes place in modern stainless steel tanks of 60-100 hl., ensuring the best hygiene and complete control over all processes. A few floors underground, you’ll find Louis Roederer’s unique “Vins de Réserve,” a stock of older wines stored in both used oak barrels of 60 hl. and in stainless steel tanks (Perpetual Reserve). The reserve wines are used to varying degrees in the production of non-vintage champagnes to ensure continuity in both style and quality in each of these.
For many years, Champagne Louis Roederer has been at the absolute top in Champagne, and no house here enjoys greater renown today than Louis Roederer.
