Roederer Estate 2020 Brut Apple Alley Vineyard

This is the latest release of Roederer's small-production (<600 cases) specialty bottlings. In our opinion, it is among their best wines to date, though at a much higher price point than their entry-level brut (as one would expect from a single-vineyard bottling). 

Their Apple Alley Vineyard bottling reflects the core of Roederer's philosophy: deep knowledge of their family-owned vineyards and careful craftmanship of site-specific wines. This single-vineyard release showcases a sense of place and the full expression of the fruit in its terroir.

The Vineyard

Apple Alley is the nickname given to the dirt road that winds up from the winery deep into the vineyard situated above Roederer Estate. The land formerly contained a large apple orchard, and the trees along the dirt road are the last remaining remnants of the once-vast orchard from 100 years ago.

Roederer's 2020 Apple Alley Vineyard Brut is a blend of PinotNoir and Chardonnay juice (~75/25) that was partially fermented in casks (8%) and with a small amount of reserve wine aged in casks (1.4%) to give the Roederer Estate family touch. It was disgorged in February 2024, after 34 months on the yeast. A modest dosage of 6 g/L makes this a Brut on the low end of sweetness range.