La Rogerie Champagne Grand Cru Lieux de Vie No. 1

The hype is real. This is an outstanding Champagne, already drinking beautifully. The nose leans toward the oxidative side, showing notes of almonds and a general nuttiness, but it remains very clean—none of the typical bruised apple you sometimes get with oxidative styles. There’s also a classic side to it, with hints of brioche. In terms of fruit, it leans more toward orange rind. On the palate, it's endless—very vinous, mouthcoating, and lingers for minutes. A spectacular wine.

La Rogerie is one of the most exciting producers in Champagne at the moment, and its Champ Bouton 2019 is already a spectacular wine. It wafts from the glass with subtle and elegant notes of brioche, white flowers, oil citrus, butter and caramel; on the palate it’s got fantastic minerality and concentration, and a rounded creamy texture with a long saline-infected finish.

I have slowly become infatuated with the wines (and unique story!) of La Rogerie. Having first discovered the grower through their 2015 "Héroïne" Avize Grand Cru and then fallen in love with their "Le Bourg Sud" a couple of weeks ago, I knew I needed to try the 2019 Champ Bouton off of Chez Fifi's list in New York City. Immediately upon opening, the nose had this incredible tension between caramel and pear scents that was undercut by the gorgeous …

La Rogerie tasting : Disgorged Jan 2024. From vines planted in 1959 and in poor soil, resulting in low yields. Wow this was a stunner, everything I like about this maker was encapsulated here. Superb use of oak to give a wonderfully textural wine, loved the verve and tension to the ripe citrus fruit. A high-wire act sort of champagne that was right up my alley, put my money where my mouth is and bought two on the spot.

Detailed florals and melons on the nose. Needed about an hour to really pull through and the wine to find balance -- where enough acidity to give it that light-footed touch that balances the richness and complexity of Avize fruit. Wine gets more and more elegant and detailed with air. Amazing lift. One of the best expressions of the fruit I have had! Reminded me of a more elegant and detailed Au Dessus du Gros Mont, although not as rich …

No detailed notes. Very nice, but not a great step up from Le Bourg Sud Degorged January 2024. Bottle 21 of 1615 produced