2018 Louis Roederer, Coteaux Champenois ‘Hommage a Camille’ Rouge 1x75cl

JancisRobinson.com – 17+

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. [23/03/2021]

Decanter – 92

From a 0.43ha lieu dit (Charmont) in Mareuil in the balmy vintage of 2018, another very limited edition (only 1,631 bottles this time), aged for 14 months in French oak, none of it new. Ruby red, with inviting aromas of crushed raspberry and Morello cherry, a toasty backdrop… The palate is silky, moreish, with a basket of red fruit set out for our appreciation and a lick of pepper at the back. The oak is well integrated and the acidity, whilst high, does not overwhelm. Charming. [30/05/2021]

Vinous – 94

The 2018 Camille Hommage Mareuil-sur-Aÿ is fabulous. It emerges from six parcels, all on eroded clay soils in Chaumont, which is on the border between Mareuil and Aÿ. Ripe red berry fruit, rose petal, lavender and spice race across the palate in a silly, sumptuous Coteaux Champenois that dazzles. The 2018 saw 12 months of aging, 80% in oak of various sizes (40% new) and 20% in terracotta. The 30-40% stems are barely evident. More importantly, the 2018 represents a major step forward from the first vintages. [Antonio Galloni, 01/11/2021]