Who makes it?

Roederer Philippe Starck Blanc is one of a pair of Champagnes under the Starck label. There is also a rosé edition as well which is also very fine. You might find a new label design in stores now.

Undoubtedly though, if you are a lover of Champagne, you will already know the Roederer Champagne house. And if you are a lover of design, particularly the Alessi citrus juicer, you will already know of Philippe Starck. In 2014, the first Roederer Starck wine launched with much well deserved acclaim. That collaboration though first started in 2006. The team have played the long game with these wines. No attention spared here. 

When Roederer teamed up with him in 2006, Starck insisted that he had input into how the wine was made. Hence, these wines have no additional sulphites or sugars using only biodynamic grown grapes. They are both brut nature (zero dosage) wines. This requires the fruit to be in the very best condition at harvest. The ripest healthiest grapes make the best Brut Nature Champagnes. 

(Please click here to read more about zero dosage Champagne). 

Somewhat perversely, because Roederer use horses to work in the vineyards, they cannot classify their wines as vegan. 

The label

The labels on these wines are also very obviously of Starck design. And they often feature his brand of informative minimalist. All without compromising on being modernist and oh so stylish.

The same philosophy of attainable stylishness which underlines all his designs, be it an office, a yacht or a chair. Starck’s take on the wine is, “These champagnes need no artifice. Their beauty is revealed at the heart.”  This is sentiment you will often see with Champagnes of this style.

Starck is also on record for saying: “It’s like the Queen of England with Johnny Rotten – and I’m the punk,” he said, admitting that his nature was like the loud-mouthed lead singer of British band the Sex Pistols.

How do they make it?

This is a vintage Champagne and only made in the very best vintages. Because the Roederer Philippe Starck Blanc is a Brut Nature wine. Obviously, those vintages produce the ripest wines.  

The grape blend changes each year depending on the vintage. All the grapes grow as a field blend from a biodynamic vineyard in Côteaux de Cumières. These vineyards are, of course, Premier Cru vineyards. The blend is always of the three focus Champagne grapes with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir taking the lead and second main grape. Pinot Meunier is not forgotten. It always plays its part. 

To read more about lees, please read What are Lees?

Up to a quarter portion of the base wine spends time in oak to add just that touch of richness. The wine does not go through malolactic fermentation either. That touch of oak is the only adornment for this wine. After spending up to 8+ years on its lees, the wine is disgorged without any addition of sugar and it is ready to pour.

Love Champagne? Click here to read more about organic and biodynamic Champagne and the people who produce them.

What does it taste like?

Firstly the aromas of peach, baked apple and eggshell minerality rise up from the glass. There is a good wedge of lemon and zest there too. It is a fuller bodied wine due to the ripeness of those grapes. The wine sits crisply in the mouth with a fine mousse. On the finish the flavours coalesce around lemon biscuit, limestone minerality, white peach and some light nougat flavours. This makes it a great wine to just sit and contemplate. Particularly so you can take your time enjoying the almost crystalline detail bared by that lack of dosage.

I would make sure that you serve it just lightly chilled (around 10 – 12^oC) in a more open style flute to make the most of its lighter flavours. A narrow flute will exaggerate the dryness of this wine. It needs to be free to do its thing. 

To read a review of a previous vintage please click here.

What to drink it with?

It is a wine to savour and let unfurl over appetisers and starters.  However, it has plenty of flavour and the presence to work well with salads and light meals.

Cheese

Try this wine with washed rind bloomy cheese. 

Quickie review « Impeccable balance is vital for these zero dosage Champagnes & the Roederer Phillipe Starck Blanc does not disappoint ! »

Country of Origin:  Champagne AOC, France
Tasting Date: June 2019, September 2024
Price:  UK £95 | €75 | US$ 95++ | AU$170
Drink: now – 5+ years 
Needs food: no
Source: tasting

If you like prestige Champagnes and other fine fizzes, why not check out:
Roederer Philippe Starck Rosé
Australian sparkling wines – House of Arras style!
Fine fizz {Champagne} that should be in your glass

Visit louis roederer for more.

Click here to listen to Colette Bonnet talk about growing and making Champagne as an organic winemaker.