Louis Roederer Collection 246 is the 246th blend from one of Champagne's most celebrated houses — a non-vintage Brut built on the 2021 harvest base, a year the house describes as the most challenging since 1958. The result is a champagne of unusual freshness and precision: Chardonnay-dominant in character, with a delicate, shimmering quality that sets it apart from previous Collection releases. Composed of 55% 2021 harvest wines, 35% Perpetual Reserve and 10% reserve wines aged in French oak foudres, Collection 246 is an accomplished expression of the Louis Roederer style — elegant, saline and built for both immediate enjoyment and extended cellaring.
Why Buy This Wine?
- Current release of Louis Roederer's flagship non-vintage Champagne
- One of the most Chardonnay-driven Collection releases to date — fresher and more saline than many rival NV Champagnes
- Almost four years ageing in Louis Roederer cellars before release
- Blends 2021 harvest wines with the Perpetual Reserve and Cristal estate oak-aged reserve wines
- Suitable for both immediate drinking and cellaring 3–7+ years
- Gift boxed — one of the strongest Champagne gift choices at this price point
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Pale golden with fine, persistent bubbles.
Aroma
Fresh and precise, with mirabelle plum, candied citrus and a fine woody touch. Toasted and iodised notes add complexity alongside the characteristic freshness of the 2021 harvest.
Palate
Fresh, dynamic and airy with accomplished fruit, elegant tension and a saline mineral quality. The high Chardonnay proportion delivers finesse and precision; the Perpetual Reserve contributes balance and freshness; the oak-aged reserve wines add depth and the signature complexity of the house. A delicate, shimmering champagne that is lighter and more precise than previous Collection releases.
Pairs With
Oysters, fresh shellfish, sashimi, grilled fish, soft cheeses and light canapés. An excellent aperitif and a faithful companion to gastronomy. Serve at 8–10°C.
Reviews
"Each Collection is a 'step aside', a new chapter in the universe of the taste of the House. Each time singular but always resolutely Louis Roederer!"
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Head of Cellars, Louis Roederer
Wine Sellers Direct Verdict
Collection 246 occupies a distinctive position within the Collection series — a release shaped by one of Champagne's most difficult harvests in recent memory, yet one that delivered wines of exceptional freshness and precision. The unusually high Chardonnay proportion gives 246 a lighter, more saline character than its predecessors, making it one of the more elegant releases in the Collection lineage. At its core, Collection 246 is a Champagne for buyers who value precision, freshness and transparency of vintage character over richness and power. For those who appreciate the intellectual rigour of the Collection concept — each blend a singular response to the year — 246 is a compelling and rewarding release. Drink now with confidence or cellar for several years to reveal further complexity.
Who Should Drink This?
Choose Collection 246 if you: appreciate non-vintage Champagne with genuine winemaking ambition; enjoy fresh, precise and saline styles over rich, toasty expressions; are exploring the Louis Roederer portfolio beyond Cristal; or want a serious Champagne for gifting, celebration or fine dining.
Collection 246 may not suit you if you prefer: a richer, more biscuit-driven NV style — in which case Bollinger Special Cuvée or Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve may be stronger choices.
What's Similar?
Bollinger Special Cuvée NV
More Pinot Noir influence, greater power and toast, richer and broader than Collection 246. Better suited to richer food and those who prefer a more structured NV style.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV
More autolytic depth and complexity from extended reserve wine ageing. Less fresh than Collection 246 but with greater biscuit and toasty character.
Louis Roederer Collection 245
The previous Collection release. Slightly broader and richer than 246, with less Chardonnay dominance. Collection 246 is fresher, more saline and more precise.
Looking for greater richness and toast? Consider Bollinger Special Cuvée. Prefer more autolytic complexity? Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve is a strong alternative. For freshness, salinity and vintage transparency, Collection 246 remains the most precise expression of the three.
Collection 246 FAQs
What makes Collection 246 different from Collection 245?
Collection 246 is built on the 2021 harvest base — the most challenging vintage since 1958 — which produced wines of exceptional freshness and precision. Chardonnay is present in unusually high proportions, giving 246 a lighter, more saline and more elegant character than Collection 245.
Is Collection 246 worth cellaring?
Yes. Collection 246 is designed for both immediate enjoyment and extended cellaring. The high acidity and precise structure suggest a drink window of now to 2030 and beyond.
What is the Perpetual Reserve?
The Perpetual Reserve is a solera-style reserve wine maintained by Louis Roederer across multiple vintages. It provides a consistent point of balance, freshness and house character in each Collection blend. In Collection 246, it represents 35% of the blend.
Is Collection 246 suitable for gifting?
Yes — Collection 246 is gift boxed and represents one of the strongest Champagne gift choices at this price point. Louis Roederer is one of the most recognised Champagne houses globally, and the Collection series carries genuine prestige and a compelling story.
How does Collection 246 compare to Cristal?
Cristal is Louis Roederer's prestige cuvée — a vintage Champagne from the house's own estate vineyards, priced significantly higher. Collection 246 is the house's flagship non-vintage expression and the principal entry point into the Louis Roederer range.
Explore the full Louis Roederer range at Wine Sellers Direct.
