Roederer Estate Apple Alley Vineyard 2021
(Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, California) - [VM 95] [JS 94] [JD 94]

About the Winery:
Founded in 1982, Roederer Estate is nestled in Mendocino County’s fog-shrouded, Anderson Valley. As the California property of Champagne Louis Roederer, Roederer Estate builds upon a centuries-old tradition of fine winemaking. Roederer's unique winemaking style is based on two elements: complete ownership of its vineyards and the addition of oak-aged reserve wines to each year's blend or cuvee to create complex, dry and harmonious sparkling wines.

Notes from the Winemaker:
Apple Alley is the nickname given to the dirt road that winds up from the winery deep into the vineyard situated above Roederer Estate. Formerly a large apple orchard, the trees along the dirt road are the last remnants of the original plantings, with some nearing 100 years in age. 

Delicate oak and pastry crust aromatics are highlights of the cask-fermented fraction of the wine. Taut on entry, this vintage displays green apple flavors, textured oak aromatics and vibrant acidity. The wine feels bright for a Blanc de Blancs style, showing purity and a long, focused finish. The Extra Brut dosage will help the 2021 Apple Alley Vineyard Sparkling age beautifully.

The 2021 Apple Alley Vineyard was partially fermented in casks (22%) and with a small amount of reserve wine aged in casks (3%) to give the Roederer Estate family touch. It was disgorged in March 2025, after 36 months on the yeast.

Varietals: Approximately 80% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 3% reserve wine from vintage 2018

Dosage: 5.0 g/L

Alcohol: 12.9%

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Vinous Media:
“The 2021 Apple Alley Vineyard is a dense, effusive wine. Peach, apricot, white flowers, acacia, tangerine oil and floral notes soar from the glass. About 25% of the lots were done in oak, which comes through in the wine's textural presence and overall feel. It's a vivid, exceptionally beautiful wine. Dosage is 5 grams per liter." - Antonio Galloni (Jan 2026)

94 Points - James Suckling:
"Chalky, creamy and fresh, with minerals, fresh pears and wildflowers on the nose. Wonderful richness on the palate, with vibrant, mineral-driven acidity. Dense bubbles and a long finish of delicate herbs, wild honey, lime zest and salt. A mouthwatering, nuanced, medium-body wine. Disgorged March 2025. 5 g/L dosage. Drink or hold." (Dec 2025)

94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
“Chardonnay-driven, the 2021 Apple Alley Vineyard is released later in the year than the Clark Road Vineyard, given more time on the yeast, with a March 2025 disgorgement. It has a crisp structure and purity, with more oak presence than the 2020, and 5 grams per liter dosage. It has a bold sense of place, sourced from a vineyard above the winery, fleshy, creamy, and medium-bodied, with a toasty concentration that persists through a long finish. Drink now and over the next 10-12 years." – Virginie Boone (Feb 2026)