Louis Roederer Carte Blanche Demi-Sec Champagne

An elegantly sweet yet beautifully balanced demi-sec style from one of Champagne’s most distinguished houses, Louis Roederer Carte Blanche combines lush fruit character with refined acidity and delicate mousse. It’s rich without heaviness — a versatile Champagne that shines with dessert, foie gras, fruit-forward courses, or simply as a lush, joyful sip.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced by Champagne Louis Roederer, one of the great family-owned houses of Champagne founded in 1776, Carte Blanche represents the demi-sec expression in the Roederer range. Crafted from a thoughtful blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier across premier and grand cru vineyards, this wine reflects the terroir diversity and stylistic precision the house is known for.

The base wines undergo traditional méthode champenoise secondary fermentation in bottle, followed by extended lees aging that enhances texture and aromatic depth. What sets Carte Blanche apart is its demi-sec dosage (higher residual sugar) — carefully calibrated to balance natural acidity with sweetness without overwhelming finesse. The result is a Champagne that offers both freshness and indulgence.

Critics Commentary & Scores

Critics and professional tasters consistently praise Carte Blanche for its rich aromatic profile and balanced sweetness — particularly in a category where sugary perception often risks cloying:

• 92–93 points (general professional consensus) — Critics emphasize its harmonious balance between residual sugar and lively acidity, creating an approachable style that retains freshness while delivering richer, fruit-laden notes.

• Reviewers frequently highlight notes of orchard and stone fruit, honey, and brioche, noting that this demi-sec expression avoids heaviness and instead offers refined sweetness with crisp underpinnings.

• Sommeliers often recommend this Champagne as a versatile pairing wine due to its ability to complement both sweet and savory flavors, underlining its broad appeal and structural poise.

Overall, critics applaud Carte Blanche as a standout demi-sec — a category not always recognized for complexity — for its textural richness, aromatic precision, and well-measured sweetness.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Generous and inviting, with ripe orchard fruit — think pear, golden apple, and peach — woven with floral accents like acacia and honeysuckle. Aromas of honeyed brioche, citrus blossom, and toasted almond add depth, while a hint of citrus zest keeps the profile bright.

Palate:
Medium-bodied with a creamy mousse, the palate unfolds juicy stone fruit, candied citrus, and soft honey. Subtle spice — cinnamon and soft ginger — plays alongside a gentle toastiness, while the demi-sec sweetness is beautifully counterbalanced by lively acidity and a minerally core.

Finish:
Long and refreshing, with lingering fruit sweetness tempered by crisp citrus echoes and fine chalky minerality. The finish remains poised and elegant, leaving a soft impression of stone fruit and floral honey.

Quick Overview