2013 Louis Roederer Brut Rosé Champagne

White fruit immediately on the nose, as well as some very strong lemon and lime notes. Some gently chalky notes, too, from the Chouilly chardonnay, which is super chalky. The palate has such focus and drive and a great, mineral core. Very long with a fresh line of acidity and peripheral, smooth flesh. Some pink grapefruit at the finish. Drink or hold. (9/2019)

A smoothly textured wine, this is perfectly in balance, with red berry and currant fruitiness assimilated into the lightly tannic and crisp texture. Drink from 2019. (RV) (12/2018)

The Roederer 2013 Rosé has a lovely light pink color and opens with highly delicate red fruit and flowery aromas. The wine is light, fresh, pure, very delicate and stimulatingly salty. Very energetic and at the same time caressing. The finish displays pink grapefruit, blood orange, and lime zest flavors. Highly stimulating in its purity, freshness and citrus character. Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon finds it less vinous than the 2012, but he thinks the 2013 has huge aging potential. Disgorged in January, tasted at the domaine in May 2018. (SR) 92+ (6/2018)

In keeping with the talents Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon brings to rosé Champagne, this offers joyous drinking in a serious wine. It’s pale pink in color with a floral highlight to the honey notes and fresh-picked raspberry flavors. A pink-chalk impression lasts, and though this is not at the level of the 2012, it is immediately refreshing and delicious. (12/2019)

Fresh and floral, this delicate rosé features a lithe, lively mousse, with hints of white cherry, peach skin, grated ginger and orchard blossom. Pretty, offering a lingering finish of spice and mineral. Drink now through 2028. (AN) (12/2019)

Gorgeous. Lovely and fresh, salty and fine. A reflection of the Cristal rosé. *Great Value* 17.5/20 points. (JR) (6/2019)

This Champagne is composed of 63% Pinot Noir and 37% Chardonnay, and is made using an infusion technique that is unique to Champagne Louis Roederer. Like all of the vintage Champagnes from Roederer, this wine is entirely estate, and the plots that historically have been used for the rosé are farmed specifically with that end in mind. For the Pinot Noir, Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has selected the south facing, premier cru amphitheater vineyard of Cumières. This is a village renowned for its red wines and rosés, as it has a very steep, south facing exposition, and sits directly on the Marne river. All the Pinot Noir is macerated with its skins, but with an addition of Chardonnay juice to moderate the extraction of color and to strip out the tannin. The Chardonnay is sourced from north facing sites in the grand cru of Chouilly, at the very top of the Côte des Blancs. -Gary Westby, K&L