Louis Roederer Roederer, Louis Late Release Vintage Brut 1997 GIFTBOX

Presented in an elegant giftbox, Louis Roederer Late Release Vintage Brut 1997 is a rare opportunity to experience mature Champagne released at its peak by the house itself. Drawn from a cool, damp vintage that favored Chardonnay, this late-disgorged cuvée showcases how time and patience can sculpt a wine of remarkable finesse and complexity. This is not just a bottle of Champagne, but a carefully curated glimpse into Roederer’s library of great vintages.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 1997 Late Release Vintage Brut displays a deep lemon-gold hue with a fine, persistent mousse that hints at its long maturation on the lees. The nose is complex and layered: waxy citrus peel, beeswax, honeycomb and candied mandarin unfold gradually, joined by ripe stone fruits, brioche, and a delicate suggestion of bee pollen and chalk dust. On the palate, it is medium to full-bodied yet wonderfully taut and focused, with a vivid, crystalline acidity that keeps the mature flavors lifted and energetic. Flavors of confit citrus, baked apricot, toasted brioche and subtle hazelnut are wrapped in a precise, chiselled structure, leading to a long, saline and chalky finish. Despite its age, the wine feels effortless and vibrant, with the tension and backbone to continue evolving for several more years in a good cellar, though it is drinking beautifully now.

Production
Sourced from Louis Roederer’s prime vineyards in the heart of Champagne, this vintage is anchored in chalk-rich soils that lend the wine its trademark minerality and tension. The cool, moist 1997 growing season particularly favored Chardonnay, which plays a leading role in the blend alongside Pinot Noir from carefully selected parcels. Grapes are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, with strict selection in the vineyard. Fermentation traditionally takes place in a mix of stainless steel and large oak foudres for certain lots, preserving freshness while adding gentle texture and depth. After blending, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and is matured for an extended period on its lees in Roederer’s historic cellars, before a late disgorgement that allows complexity, autolytic nuances and a finely integrated mousse to fully develop.

Food & Serving
This mature, precision-driven Champagne is superb with refined dishes such as turbot with beurre blanc, poached lobster, scallops in a light cream or citrus sauce, and delicate poultry dishes with truffle or morels. Its honeyed, brioche-scented complexity also makes it a beautiful partner to aged Comté, finely matured Parmesan, or a simple plate of oysters and caviar. Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally around 10–12°C (50–54°F), so the bouquet can fully express itself. A gentle decant in a chilled carafe, or simply pouring the first small glass and giving the bottle a few minutes in the glass, can help the aromatics unfurl without disturbing the fine bead.

Producer
Founded in 1776 in Reims, Louis Roederer remains one of the few great Champagne houses that is still family-owned and fiercely independent. Building its reputation in the 19th century with carefully farmed estate vineyards and meticulous winemaking, Roederer became renowned worldwide—most famously for creating Cristal, one of Champagne’s most iconic prestige cuvées. Today, the house is celebrated for its commitment to sustainable and biodynamic viticulture across its extensive holdings, allowing it to craft wines that are both precise and expressive of their terroir. The Late Release Vintage program highlights Roederer’s long-term vision and deep cellaring tradition, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare chance to enjoy perfectly mature Champagnes released directly from the domaine’s own cellars.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.