2015 Roederer Estate Brut ‘L’Ermitage’ Anderson Valley

Fine tiny bubbles and a long lasting mousse are the usual footprints of the L’Ermitage cuvée. Aromas of hazelnut and roasted pecans opening to some clove spiciness. Vibrant acidity, with notes of Asian pear, baked green apple. Creamy mid palate and clean acid with a dry finish.
Roederer Estate wines are made with juice from just the cuvée pressing; no première or deuxième taille is used. The concept of the vintage L’Ermitage is the same one that is used in Champagne: only the best of the vintage is selected. These are exceptional wines that create a “noble” blend that allows for longer aging, which produces a fine wine with elegance and finesse.
The wine for the dosage added to the L’Ermitage 2015 was a 2015 wine liquor aged for 6 years in a French oak cask. Following disgorgement, L’Ermitage 2015 was aged an additional six months (minimum) on the cork prior to release.

The 2015 vintage was at the end of the 2013-2015 drought spell. Winter was mild and budbreak was very early in February. Bloom occurred in early May when it was windy and cool then June got very hot, all pushing for an early harvest starting August 7th. Labor was difficult to secure to harvest quickly enough and the last lots for sparkling were picked September 10th. Overall, the yields in 2015 were good with plenty of maturity for the late picks.