Hommage a Camille Rouge 2018 Louis Roederer

Professionele reviews

Jancis Robinson (17)

Mareuil-sur-Ay (no umlaut) cited on the front label where the Pinot Noir grapes for this wine are grown on the 0.43 ha Charmont lieu-dit. 1,631 bottles are made. The word Hommage also appears on the front label of these two new still wines designed as an hommage (femmage?) to Camille Olry-Roederer. See my tasting notes on the 2015 and 2016 prototypes then known simply as Charmont. It might be helpful to reproduce my background notes on the 2015: 'Debut vintage from a single 0.4-ha biodynamic vineyard in Mareuil-sur-Aÿ planted in 2002 with a mass selection of Pinot Noir. Some chalk. Wind sheltered. One bunch per shoot. To be launched early 2020. 1,100 bottles. As much whole bunch as possible (12% in 2015), all in oak.'
Mid bright ruby. Warm, friendly nose (very different from its slightly austere white stablemate) with quite a strong oak imprint. Sweet raspberry fruit but with real freshness and delicacy of texture. Very charming without being simple, even if it lacks the grunt and depth of, say, a grand cru burgundy. I would fall on this at the end of a day's tasting in Champagne! As a Coteaux Champenois it's a 17. As a burgundy it's a 16.5. Hope that makes sense. Neat, dry, appetising finish. There's a bit of fine tannin lurking there for some future development.

BOW (8)