Louis Roederer Collection 243 Brut Champagne

Collection 243 is the 3rd release of the new multi-vintage cuvée which replaces the Brut Premier. The Collection 243 shares the same philosophy as the Jacquesson 7 series and Krug’s Edition wines, which are based on a younger vintage blended with some older reserve wines.
Based on the 2018 vintage with a blend of 41% Reserve wines from the 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 vintages (10% of which were aged in oak). The wine is composed of 42% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir & 18% Pinot Meunier sourced equally from Vallée de la Marne, the Côte des Blancs and the Montagne de Reims.
Dosage: 8g/l
An overflowing mousse eventually dissipates to reveal a pale straw coloured base with pale gold tinged edges that has a delicate stream of persistent bubbles flowing through it. The nose features citrus, baked bread and yeast lees aromas followed by hints of roasted almond, pear and chalky mineral notes. Vivid and rich at once, the palate possesses Louis Roederer’s satiny feel with flavours of pear, baked bread and yeast lees prominent. Refreshing acidity with notions of citrus, delicate cashew and chalky characters lingering through what is a long, dry and mouth watering finish.
Drink over the next 5-6 years.
Alc. 12.5%

Other Reviews....
Dried-lemon, apricot, green-apple, salted-almond, walnut and light caramel notes. Vinous and layered, with small and tight bubbles. Excellent focus and intensity. Based on 2018, with reserve wines going back to 2009. Dosage 8g/L. Drink now.
94 Points
JamesSuckling.com (August 2022)

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. Drink 2021 - 2035.
92 Points
William Kelley - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (September 2022)

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.
92 Points
Alison Napjus - Wine Spectator (December 2022)

The NV Champagne Collection 243 Brut is the third release and is based on the 2018 vintage, with the addition of 30% of the perpetual reserve started in 2012 and 10% reserve wine that has been aged in oak. It is ripe and balanced, with yellow flowers, honeycomb, and plum, and it has elegant concentration and underlying tension, precise mousse, and rich salinity, with lingering notes of croissant and delicate smoke. This will be an exciting wine in the range to follow. Drink 2022-2037.
93 Points
Audrey Frick - JebDunnuck.com (December 2022)

Based on 2018, described by Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon as 'a truly magical year', with oak aged wines from 2009, 2011 and all vintages from 2013 to 2017 inclusive that make up this impeccable house's perpetual reserve begun in 2012.
Wonderfully complex aroma rises from the glass as soon as this is poured. So complex on the nose and uncompromisingly dry but well balanced on the palate. Lightly smoky but with no shortage of fine, ripe fruit in an interesting honeysuckle and lime spectrum. Clean and fresh and extremely long. This definitely deserves to be priced above regular non-vintage champagne. Not quite delicate. Not quite creamy. Just hits the right note for a superior blend. Drink 2022 – 2030.
17+ / 20 Points
Jancis Robinson MW (October 2022)