Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/735024
90 { THE SOMM JOURNAL } OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 Louis Roederer 2006 Brut Nature (SRP $89) This non-dosage brut, which debuted in 2014, was the first newly minted expression for Roederer since Cristal Rosé in 1974. The expres- sion of 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay tasted like "Chablis with bubbles" to Nico Snyman, Sommelier at Joël Robuchon. "Roederer President/CEO Frédéric Rouzad and designer Philippe Stark came up with the design, and the style as a look to the future of Champagne," explained Herrmann. Pear, Granny Smith apple and brioche were evident. The wine was created as a response to the heatwave of 2003, an event that began a house trend to reduce the dosage on all Roederer cuvées. The warm 2006 was considered a "solar year" (biodynamically speaking), when the first zero- dosage Roederer wine was born. Louis Roederer 2009 Vintage Rosé (SRP $79.99) Old-vine Pinot Noir is farmed on the steepest part of the vineyard sites to push for optimum ripeness. "We have a lieu-dit philoso - phy," notes Herrmann, referring to the 410 specific blocks used to grow grapes for these wines; "winemaking is accomplished á la carte. With no malolactic fermentation, cutting the effective dosage in half, and four years of lees contact, the pink-hued sparkler displays roses and raspberries, blood orange and Morello cherries, watermelon with a round and full mouthfeel. The mid-palate becomes dry and dusty, finishing with stone and rhubarb. MAISONS MARQUES & DOMAINES { somm journal seminar series } FRANCE CHAMPAGNE REGION: Roederer Brut Nature and Louis Roederer 2009 Vintage Rosé Maison Marques & Domaine's Roland Herrmann presented a taste of two styles from this formidable Champagne house, each from the same base Pinot Noir vineyard (Cumières in Aÿ). Coltin Short, Sommelier at Libertine Social, speaks with Roland Herrmann of Maisons Marques & Domaines, who poured several expressions of Roederer Champagne.