Louis Roederer Collection 243 is an exceptional multi-vintage Brut Champagne, awarded 94 points by James Suckling and 93 points each by Decanter, JebDunnuck.com and Vinous. Crafted from a distinctive combination of the outstanding 2018 harvest, a carefully maintained perpetual reserve and selected oak-aged reserve wines, it offers remarkable richness, vibrant freshness, beautifully fine bubbles and an elegant, mineral-driven finish.

Representing the 243rd blend in the history of Champagne Louis Roederer, Collection 243 forms part of the House's ambitious evolution beyond its historic Brut Premier cuvée. The Collection series reflects a new philosophy of multi-vintage Champagne, allowing each numbered edition to express the character of its principal harvest while preserving the depth, complexity and continuity of the Louis Roederer style.

Collection 243 is based on the unusually warm and sunny 2018 growing season, which contributes 59% of the final blend. This generous base wine is complemented by 31% Réserve Perpétuelle, established in 2012, and 10% separately selected oak-aged reserve wines.

The result is a Champagne that combines the richness of a ripe vintage with the freshness and complexity accumulated through the careful preservation of older wines. Rather than simply reproducing the same style each year, Louis Roederer allows each Collection to develop its own distinctive personality while maintaining the House's commitment to harmony and precision.

The final grape composition comprises 42% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 18% Meunier. Chardonnay contributes the wine's mineral freshness and structural precision; Pinot Noir brings depth, ripe fruit and a generous, velvety texture; while Meunier adds expressive fruit and aromatic accessibility.

The 2018 growing season was marked by exceptional warmth, drought and abundant sunshine. Pinot Noir achieved particularly generous ripeness and a luxurious texture, while Chardonnay displayed dense fruit and saline freshness. Meunier contributed intensely expressive fruit.

Harvest began on August 27 and concluded on September 8, 2018. Careful grape selection from the House's estate vineyards and trusted winegrower partners enabled the production of a multi-vintage Champagne balancing ripeness, aromatic richness and freshness.

In the glass, Collection 243 displays a bright golden colour with shimmering highlights and a fine, persistent mousse. Its inviting bouquet opens with ripe mirabelle plum, sweet citrus and jasmine, gradually revealing toasted nuances, fresh pastry and gentle smoky complexity.

On the palate, the Champagne is rich, structured and wonderfully textured. The ripe fruit of Pinot Noir creates an enveloping impression before giving way to the chalky density and vivid saline freshness of Chardonnay.

The Réserve Perpétuelle contributes additional energy, maturity and aromatic complexity, while the oak-aged reserve wines lend texture, integration and savoury depth. Together, these components create an intricate balance between the generosity of the 2018 harvest and the precision of older reserve wines.

A delicate touch of pleasant bitterness complements the Champagne's long, refreshing finish. This savoury quality provides definition and makes Collection 243 particularly appealing with food.

Professional reviewers have praised the wine's remarkable balance. James Suckling's 94-point assessment highlights its layered fruit and refined bubbles, while Decanter recognises its bright citrus character, fine texture, mouthwatering acidity and persistent chalky freshness.

With the craftsmanship of Champagne Louis Roederer, a carefully composed multi-vintage blend, outstanding critic recognition and an exceptional balance of richness and freshness, Collection 243 is a sophisticated choice for Champagne enthusiasts, fine dining, thoughtful gifting and memorable celebrations.

Louis Roederer identifies 2018 as an exceptionally warm, continental growing season that established new records for heat, drought and sunshine in Champagne.

Summer Conditions: Extended periods of warm, dry and sunny weather encouraged advanced grape ripeness and the development of concentrated fruit.

Pinot Noir: The grape variety developed an especially generous, luxurious texture, giving the wines impressive richness and a supple mouthfeel.

Chardonnay: When harvested at optimal maturity, Chardonnay displayed concentrated fruit, pronounced density and the saline freshness central to the Collection style.

Meunier: The variety produced intensely expressive fruit, contributing brightness and aromatic generosity.

Harvest Start: August 27, 2018.

Harvest Completion: September 8, 2018.

Base-Wine Contribution: The 2018 harvest represents 59% of Collection 243's final blend, providing its principal fruit expression and generous texture.

Role of Reserve Wines: The remaining 41% comes from previously harvested wines, helping balance the warmth and concentration of 2018 with additional freshness, maturity and complexity.

Overall Character: A fruit-rich, generous and textural Champagne supported by vibrant acidity, mineral definition and the refined complexity of its reserves.

Although 2018 is its base harvest, Collection 243 remains a multi-vintage Champagne. It must not be represented as a vintage-dated Champagne made entirely from 2018 grapes.

Collection 243 is composed from three carefully selected groups of wines, each contributing an important dimension to the finished Champagne.

59% — Wines from the 2018 Harvest: The principal component supplies ripe yellow fruit, generous texture and the richness associated with an exceptionally sunny Champagne vintage.

The 2018 Pinot Noir contributes roundness and depth, Chardonnay provides structure and mineral freshness, and Meunier adds intensely expressive fruit.

31% — Réserve Perpétuelle: Created in 2012, this continually maintained reserve preserves selected wines from successive harvests, providing continuity, energy and complexity across the Collection series.

For Collection 243, the Réserve Perpétuelle draws on wines from 2012 through 2017. Its purpose is to bring depth and freshness while linking each new edition to the House's established style.

The reserve's accumulated complexity complements the fruit concentration of the 2018 harvest, adding nuance and supporting the balance of the final cuvée.

10% — Oak-Aged Reserve Wines: A separate selection of reserve wines matured in oak contributes further aromatic depth, texture and structural integration.

The producer's official importer identifies these oak-aged reserves as originating from younger vines within vineyards associated with Cristal. Their selection contributes sophistication without turning Collection 243 into a Cristal cuvée.

Total Oak Influence: The producer's separate digital vintage record reports that 16% of the wines were vinified in oak. This is distinct from the 10% share of separately oak-aged reserve wines in the composition of the final blend.

Malolactic Fermentation: Twenty-six percent of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation, contributing an element of texture while allowing the remaining wines to preserve freshness and precision.

Dosage: Eight grams per litre, supporting the Champagne's Brut style and balancing its ripe fruit with a dry, refreshing finish.

The result is an intricate, finely balanced Champagne that reflects the freedom and creativity of the Collection approach while retaining Louis Roederer's distinctive identity.

Official Producer Assessment: A bright, golden Champagne with fine, lively bubbles and an expressive bouquet of ripe yellow fruit, sweet citrus, jasmine, fresh pastry and gentle roasted notes. The palate is rich and structured, with exceptional texture and a long saline finish.

Appearance: Brilliant golden-yellow with shimmering highlights.

Effervescence: Fine, lively and persistent, forming elegant streams of bubbles.

Yellow-Fruit Aromas: Mirabelle plum and other ripe orchard-fruit impressions, reflecting the generous maturity of Pinot Noir.

Citrus Aromas: Sweet lemon, lemon meringue and complementary fresh citrus notes.

Floral Character: Delicate jasmine, lending aromatic elegance and freshness.

Autolytic Aromas: Freshly baked pastry, subtle toast and roasted nuances developed during maturation.

Smoky Notes: Gentle smoke contributes an additional savoury dimension to the bouquet.

Palate: Deep, generous and well structured, with ripe fruit and a mouth-filling texture.

Pinot Noir Character: Rich, generous and silky, with a particularly enveloping mouthfeel.

Chardonnay Character: Dense, precise and mineral, contributing the chalky freshness that balances the wine's concentration.

Meunier Character: Expressive fruit, adding an inviting and lively dimension.

Acidity: Bright and refreshing, bringing definition and balance to the ripe-fruit character.

Texture: Rich and fleshy yet refined by fine bubbles and mineral tension.

Finish: Long, saline and precise, with an appealing touch of delicate bitterness.

Overall Style: A generous, complex and gastronomic multi-vintage Champagne combining the warmth of 2018 with the freshness and depth of carefully preserved reserve wines.

These principal tasting characteristics follow the official Louis Roederer Collection 243 technical sheet. Additional descriptors in professional critic reviews are attributed separately.

Louis Roederer Collection 243 has earned outstanding critical recognition, including 94 points from James Suckling, 93 points from Decanter, 93 points from JebDunnuck.com, 93 points from Vinous and 93 points from John Gilman's View From the Cellar.

• 94 Points — James Suckling, June 2022: Praises a concentrated and layered Champagne revealing dried lemon, apricot, green apple, salted almond, walnut and subtle caramel. The review highlights the wine's refined bubbles, impressive focus and expressive fruit.
• 93 Points — Decanter, Georgie Hindle, June 2023: Highlights bright lemon, chamomile, green apple and honeysuckle. The palate is particularly fresh, with energetic acidity, exceptionally fine bubbles, delicate chalky structure and a long saline finish.
• 93 Points — JebDunnuck.com, Audrey Frick, November 2022: Recognises yellow flowers, honeycomb, ripe plum, croissant and delicate smoke. The review particularly admires the Champagne's concentrated but balanced character, precise mousse, mineral tension and persistent salinity. Published drinking window: 2022–2037.
• 93 Points — Vinous, Antonio Galloni, 2022: Galloni recognises an energetic and expressive Champagne with citrus peel, white flowers, mint, slate and pronounced saline freshness, highlighting the more vibrant direction of the Collection series.
• 93 Points — View From the Cellar, John Gilman, February 2023: Praises apple, pear, freshly baked bread, hazelnut, orange zest, dried flowers and gentle smoke. His assessment emphasises an intricate balance between generous fruit, fine bubbles, mineral energy and an exceptionally persistent finish.
• 92 Points — The Wine Advocate, William Kelley, August 2022: Describes ripe stone fruit, honeycomb, white flowers and buttery pastry, with generous texture, bright acidity and a refreshing saline finish. The review highlights the wine's approachable and expressive character.
• 92 Points — Wine Spectator, Alison Napjus: Recognises ripe pear, nectarine, mandarin peel, oyster shell and chamomile over a chalky mineral foundation, with a creamy texture and refreshing balance.

The reviews consistently highlight Collection 243's combination of rich fruit and mineral precision, together with its fine mousse and complex reserve-wine character.

The strongest marketing distinction is its 94-point James Suckling rating, supported by multiple 93-point reviews and the exceptional craftsmanship of Champagne Louis Roederer.

These scores apply specifically to Collection 243. They must not be transferred to Collection 242, 244, 245 or later editions, nor confused with ratings for the House's Cristal prestige cuvée.

Louis Roederer Collection 243 is crafted from carefully selected vineyards situated in the heart of Champagne's established wine-growing regions.

The blend reflects three historic estate areas, each contributing approximately one-third of its regional origins.

La Rivière — Vallée de la Marne: Contributes expressive fruit, roundness and a generous dimension to the Champagne's character.

La Montagne — Montagne de Reims: An important source of Pinot Noir structure, ripe fruit and textured depth.

La Côte — Côte des Blancs: Provides Chardonnay distinguished by freshness, precision and the chalk-driven mineral character central to the final blend.

Grapes from Louis Roederer's own vineyards are complemented by carefully selected fruit from partner winegrowers whose parcels are situated within the House's preferred terroirs.

The producer emphasises sustainable viticultural practices and careful vineyard management, seeking to express the particular qualities of each selected site.

The combination of different grape varieties, vineyard origins and reserve-wine components creates a multi-vintage Champagne with exceptional balance and complexity.

The result is an elegant expression of the House's Champagne heritage, combining ripe fruit and generous texture with distinctive chalky freshness.

Collection and Cristal are distinct Champagne cuvées produced by the same historic House, each with its own vineyard selection, blending philosophy and style.

Collection 243: A multi-vintage Brut Champagne based on the 2018 harvest and complemented by a carefully maintained perpetual reserve and selected oak-aged reserve wines.

Its character emphasises generous fruit, aromatic complexity, fine bubbles and a versatile, gastronomic balance.

Cristal: The House's historic vintage prestige cuvée, produced from specially selected vineyards in exceptional growing years, with a different blend, production approach and maturation profile.

Although some oak-aged reserves for Collection originate from younger vines within vineyards associated with Cristal, Collection 243 is not a Cristal Champagne and should not inherit Cristal's ratings or technical specifications.

Collection 243 offers an exceptionally refined introduction to the depth and precision of Louis Roederer's winemaking, while remaining a distinct expression of the House's multi-vintage philosophy.

Louis Roederer recommends serving Champagne with care to preserve its aromatic expression and delicate effervescence.

• Serving Temperature: Approximately 9–12°C, depending on the wine's maturity and aromatic character.
• Glassware: A thin-rimmed, tulip-shaped wine glass that is sufficiently narrow to preserve the delicate mousse.
• Enjoyment: Collection 243 is suitable for enjoyment now, particularly for those who appreciate ripe fruit, lively acidity and fine Champagne bubbles.
• JebDunnuck.com Drinking Window: 2022–2037, according to Audrey Frick's November 2022 assessment.
• Vinous Drinking Window: 2022–2032, according to Antonio Galloni's published review.
• Cellar Temperature: Ideally 8–14°C, avoiding significant fluctuations.
• Humidity: Louis Roederer recommends cellar humidity of at least 80%.
• Storage Orientation: Horizontal storage in suitable cellar conditions.
• Light Protection: Store in complete darkness or suitably protective packaging.
• Storage Environment: Well ventilated, quiet and protected from vibration or strong odours.

BBPH Guidance: The richness of the 2018 base harvest and the depth of the reserve wines make Collection 243 suitable for both refined aperitif service and extended gastronomic enjoyment.

The producer notes that its Champagnes can develop further complexity with careful ageing. However, an individual bottle's maturity and development will depend on its disgorgement date, provenance and storage conditions.

Louis Roederer recommends thoughtfully selected dishes that complement Champagne's complexity without overpowering its delicacy.

• Bellota Ham: Thinly sliced, delicately cured ham for an elegant aperitif.
• Raw or Marinated Fish: Fresh seafood preparations with balanced acidity.
• Gougères: French cheese pastries that complement Champagne's savoury, pastry-like nuances.
• Foie Gras: Carefully prepared foie gras, particularly when the Champagne has developed additional maturity.
• White Fish: Gently prepared fish that allows the wine's freshness to remain prominent.
• Poultry: Refined poultry preparations with delicate savoury sauces.

The producer advises avoiding overly powerful or excessively spicy foods that could overwhelm the wine's aromatic finesse.

These suggestions reflect Louis Roederer's general Champagne pairing guidance rather than an exclusive menu developed for Collection 243.

Collection 243's ripe fruit, fine mousse, fresh acidity, toasted complexity and saline finish make it particularly versatile for sophisticated dining.

• Fresh Oysters: Premium oysters served simply to complement the Champagne's saline character.
• Smoked Salmon: Delicately smoked salmon with restrained seasoning.
• Scallops: Lightly seared scallops with lemon and a delicate butter sauce.
• Poached Prawns: Premium prawns with fresh citrus and herbs.
• Crab: Fresh crab meat or a refined crab tart with gentle seasoning.
• Roast Chicken: Herb-roasted poultry with a light savoury jus.
• Mushroom Tart: A savoury pastry with wild mushrooms and delicate herbs.
• Comté Cheese: Selected mature Comté with balanced nutty flavours.
• Gruyère: Firm, nutty cheese that complements the Champagne's pastry character.
• Truffle Gougères: Delicate cheese puffs with restrained truffle flavour.

Collection 243 is particularly suitable for pairings that balance savoury richness with acidity and freshness, allowing its mineral structure and elegant bubbles to remain expressive.

These additional suggestions are curated by Barrels & Beyond PH and are not presented as official Collection 243-specific producer pairings.

• Producer: Champagne Louis Roederer
• Product Name: Louis Roederer Collection 243 Brut Champagne
• Collection Edition: 243
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Wine Type: White Sparkling Wine
• Style: Multi-Vintage Brut Champagne
• Vintage Classification: Multi-Vintage / Non-Vintage
• Base Harvest: 2018
• Chardonnay: 42%
• Pinot Noir: 40%
• Meunier: 18%
• 2018 Base-Wine Component: 59%
• Réserve Perpétuelle: 31%
• Perpetual Reserve Vintages: 2012–2017
• Oak-Aged Reserve-Wine Component: 10%
• Total Wines in Oak: 16%, Producer's Digital Record
• Malolactic Fermentation: 26%
• Dosage: 8 g/L
• Base Harvest Start: August 27, 2018
• Base Harvest Completion: September 8, 2018
• Vineyard Origins: La Rivière, La Montagne, La Côte
• Regional Origin Proportions: Approximately One-Third Each
• Grape Supply: Louis Roederer Estate Vineyards and Selected Partner Growers
• Vineyard Philosophy: Sustainable Viticultural Practices
• Bottle Size: 1.5L Magnum Bottle
• Alcohol Content: Verify Supplied Bottle Label
• Appearance: Bright Golden-Yellow
• Effervescence: Fine, Lively, Persistent Bubbles
• Official Aromas: Mirabelle Plum, Lemon Meringue, Jasmine
• Additional Official Aromas: Roasted Notes, Smoke, Fresh Pastry
• Palate: Rich, Structured, Fleshy, Fresh
• Finish: Long, Saline, Chalky, Delicate Bitterness
• James Suckling: 94 Points, June 2022
• Decanter, Georgie Hindle: 93 Points, June 2023
• JebDunnuck.com, Audrey Frick: 93 Points, November 2022
• Vinous, Antonio Galloni: 93 Points, 2022
• View From the Cellar, John Gilman: 93 Points, February 2023
• The Wine Advocate, William Kelley: 92 Points, August 2022
• Wine Spectator: 92 Points
• Recommended Serving Temperature: 9–12°C
• Recommended Cellar Temperature: 8–14°C
• Recommended Glassware: Tulip-Shaped Wine Glass
• Storage: Cool, Dark, Stable, Vibration-Free Conditions
• Allergen: Contains Sulphites; Verify Supplied Label
• Food Pairings: Oysters, Seafood, Smoked Salmon, Poultry, Gougères, Mushrooms, Aged Cheese

Founded in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer is one of France's most celebrated independent, family-owned Champagne houses.

The House has developed an international reputation through exceptional vineyard cultivation, meticulous grape selection and an unwavering commitment to expressing the unique character of Champagne's greatest terroirs.

Louis Roederer's historic Brut Premier cuvée became a defining expression of its House style, admired for balance, finesse and consistency.

The creation of Collection introduced a more distinctive multi-vintage philosophy, allowing the Cellar Master greater freedom to express the character of each principal harvest while preserving continuity through carefully maintained reserves.

Collection 243 follows Collection 242, representing the next chapter in this approach and placing particular emphasis on the warmth and generosity of the 2018 harvest.

The Réserve Perpétuelle, established in 2012, contributes an important element of continuity and refinement, while selected oak-aged reserve wines introduce additional depth and complexity.

Cellar Master Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon's philosophy places exceptional importance on the relationship between vineyard origins, fruit ripeness, freshness and the quality of each individual blend.

Collection 243 exemplifies the House's ability to combine the freedom of multi-vintage blending with a distinctive signature of ripe fruit, precise minerality, delicate bubbles and extraordinary finesse.

At Barrels & Beyond PH, we appreciate Louis Roederer Collection 243 for its remarkable versatility, expressive fruit and sophisticated balance.

The generous character of the 2018 harvest is beautifully complemented by the complexity of the Réserve Perpétuelle and the restrained influence of selected oak-aged reserves.

Its ripe orchard fruit, delicate white flowers, fresh pastry and distinctly saline finish make it an excellent Champagne for both aperitif enjoyment and more substantial gastronomic pairings.

With 94 points from James Suckling, multiple 93-point critical assessments and the exceptional craftsmanship of Champagne Louis Roederer, Collection 243 is a refined addition to a premium Champagne collection and an elegant choice for celebrations, entertaining and thoughtful gifting.