Louis Roederer Blanc de Blancs 2009 (750ML)

94 WA / 94 JS / 92 WS / 92 VM

The 2009 Blanc de Blancs Vintage is mainly from Avize (80%), but chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon is aiming for 100% due to the forward pushed ripeness of Chardonnay. The wine offers a deep, intense and very elegant nose of ripe, but nobly discreet Chardonnay on chalk flavors, which are repeated on the palate. Think of white fruits, flowers and blossoms, hazelnuts, brioche and almonds - and you are almost there. The 2009 offers a mouthful of round, rich and very elegant, precisely defined Chardonnay that shows a lovely freshness and purity in the finish. The wine is silky, vinous and very long, and reveals an endless elegance. No malolactic fermentation, but a remarkably chiseled acidity. - Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate

This is from pure chalk terroir, and there are some very fine minerals at the core. it shows expansive gentle flesh and then a helping of long, sapid saline characters. The nose also has some gently toasty lemon rind and zesty grapefruit, subtle spices and lemon blossom. We are at 4 atmospheres here, and it shows as this is very strong and incredibly fresh. There are toasty moments on the palate, too, ripe tannins, ripe grapefruit and hints of peach sorbet. The wine feels relaxed and in excellent balance. It all culminates in a delicious grapefruit finish. Drink now and through to 2020+. - James Suckling

92 WS Floral verbena and tangy Meyer Lemon notes lead the way in this lithe and elegant Champagne, with vibrant acidity and a mineral-tinged underpinning framing the palate's crunchy white peach, brioche and salted almond flavors. Drink now through 2029. 200 cases imported. - Alison Napjus, The Wine Spectator

Roederer's 2009 Blanc de Blancs is absolutely delicious. Cool and nicely layered in the glass, with considerable restraint for the vintage, the 2009 offer striking balance and tons of personality. Lemon peel, flowers and white pepper all give the Blanc de Blancs its brightness, but overall, this is a soft, textured style of Blanc de Blancs that will drink well young. Hopefully more time in bottle will help some of the tightness on the finish to soften. Dosage is 9 grams/Liter. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media