Roederer/Louis Brut Champagne Collection 243 NV

95 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2024 in Australia; 40% pinot noir, 42% chardonnay, 18% meunier; one-third 'La Rivière, one-third 'La Montagne' and one-third 'La Côte'; 50% estate and 50% purchased fruit from growers; 2018 base vintage; 5% pinot noir tailles; 16% oak fermentation; 31% reserve perpetuelle of every vintage from 2012 to 2017; 10% oak-aged reserves from 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017; 26% malolactic fermentation; disgorged 21 December 2022; 8g/L dosage; 70% of production). The brightness, energy and purity of 243 are as evident today as they were on its first release, exuding impressive focus and drive of apple, grapefruit and lemon, beautifully wrapped in gentle crème pâtissière and energised by gentle saline chalk minerality. A magnificent Collection from the outset, with every promise of a confident decade before it still, and longer again en magnum. (Edition VII; 2024)"

94 points James Suckling: "Dried-lemon, apricot, green-apple, salted-almond, walnut and light caramel notes. Vinous and layered, with small and tight bubbles. Excellent focus and intensity. Based on 2018, with reserve wines going back to 2009. Dosage 8g/L. Drink now. (8/8/22)"

93 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The NV Collection 243 is bright, punchy and wonderfully effusive, the 243 really shows the more vibrant style Roederer is going for with their new entry-level NV bottling. Citrus peel white, flowers, mint, slate and a host of saline notes build nicely. This is impressive, to say the least. Dosage is 8 grams per liter. Drink: 2022-2032. (May 2022)"

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "The NV Champagne Collection 243 Brut is the third release and is based on the 2018 vintage, with the addition of 30% of the perpetual reserve started in 2012 and 10% reserve wine that has been aged in oak. It is ripe and balanced, with yellow flowers, honeycomb, and plum, and it has elegant concentration and underlying tension, precise mousse, and rich salinity, with lingering notes of croissant and delicate smoke. This will be an exciting wine in the range to follow. Drink 2022-2037. Drink: 2022-2037. (11/7/22)"

93 points Georgina Hindle (Decanter): "(42% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, 18% Pinot Meunier). A crystalline and pure nose full of bright lemon, chamomile, green apple and soft honeysuckle. Crisp and dry, with racy acidity and tiny bubbles that lift the palate straight away. Mouthwatering but light and so fine in terms of texture with a chalky, long and softly salty finish. This really makes you want another glass straight away. A perfect aperitif wine still with lots of juice and fruity flavours but crisp and totally refreshing. The majority of this blend comes from the 2018 vintage. Drinking Window: 2023-2030. (Jun 2023)"

93 points Anne Krebiehl, MW (Falstaff): "Juicy Mirabelle plum and salty citrus pith have immediate impact on the nose. The palate is equally immediate and generous. Fine, lively mousse rises with esprit and highlights the appetising phenolic structure that is reminiscent of grapefruit pith that is as mouthwatering as the bright line of acidity that pervades the wine. A touch riper than its predecessor 242, but with wonderful dimensions. Most seductive. (Jan 2022)"

93 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2024).

92 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Based on the 2018 vintage and complemented by reserve wines from a solera established in 2012, as well as younger foudre-aged reserve wines, Roederer's newly released NV Brut Collection 243 is a pillowy, enveloping Champagne evocative of crisp stone fruits, honeycomb, white flowers and buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and generous, with an ample core of fruit, bright acids and a saline finish, it will offer demonstrative drinking on release. Drink: 2021-2035. (Aug 2022)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "[$70 list] A vibrant Champagne that's fine and creamy on the palate, almost plush, but bright and well-balanced throughout. Reveals a chalky base note that underscores layers of ripe pear and nectarine fruit, mandarin orange peel, oyster shell and chamomile. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. Drink now. (12/15/22)"

92 points Lisa Perrotti-Brown (The Wine Independent): "The Collection 432 is a blend of 42% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir, and 18% Pinot Meunier, coming 1/3 each from the La Rivière, La Montagne, and La Côte vineyards. 31% comprises perpetual reserve (a solera-type blend) of 2012-2017 vintages. 10% comes from reserve wines aged in oak, including 2009, 2011, and 2013-2017 vintages. Yet this blend is mainly (59%) from the hot 2018 vintage. 26% of the wine went through malo-lactic, and the dosage is 8 grams per liter. Pale lemon-straw in color, it skips out of the glass with bright citrus and stone fruit notes of lemon curd, white peaches, and ripe, juicy pears, followed by hints of marzipan, baking bread, nutmeg, and honeysuckle. The palate is finely built with adeptly crafted tension and seamless dosage use, while the bubbles are super-fine and impressively persistent. It finishes long and creamy. I love how the fleshiness of the warmer 2018 vintage has been toned down, allowing the grace and sophistication of this consistent house to shine through. Drink: 2023-2035. (4/18/23)"

92 points La Revue du Vin de France: "Brut Collection (No. 243) from the 2018 base is, at the same stage as last year, more readable and expanded than 242. This wine assumes its fatness and roundness, without softness. (2024)"

91 points Wine & Spirits: "[$70 list] The second release of Roederer’s Brut Collection is based on the 2018 vintage, working with both estate and contracted fruit. The blend includes a contribution from a perpetual reserve established in 2012 (31 percent) as well as oak-aged reserves (10 percent). One taster described the clarity of the color as yellow topaz, while the flavors work in ginger, lemon and pale chalk. Generous and savory. (Dec 2022)"