As the largest independent family-managed Champagne producer, Louis Roederer rank amongst the region's absolute finest. Established in 1776, the House is currently managed by seventh generation family member Frédéric Rouzaud alongside long-time Chef de Cave and Champagne legend Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. Today, Champagne Louis Roederer own an astounding 240 hectares of vineyards in the very best locations that cover two-thirds of their grape requirements and are pioneers in biodynamic farming, having converted a total of 50% of its holdings to accommodate production using biodynamic methods. Their portfolio begins with Brut Premier, one of Champagne's most seductive non-vintage cuvées and ends with Cristal, perhaps the world's most recognised prestige cuvée champagne.
In 1974, almost 200 years after the establishment of Champagne Louis Roederer and 100 years after the invention of Cristal, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to create a Cristal Rosé. To achieve this, he selected old-vine Pinot Noir grapes from the finest Grand Cru vineyards of Aÿ, which are now cultivated according to biodynamic principals. The unique calcareous soil, which gives the grapes an exquisite minerality, enables the vines to attain exceptional fruit maturity complemented by a crystalline acidity. The rosé is produced using the cold maceration technique for 2-4 days. As with Cristal, 20-30% of the wines are vinified in oak barrels and the final blend is matured on the lees for six years in cool dark cellars and rested for eight months after disgorgement. Produced only in the very best years, Cristal Rosé is Louis Roederer's rarest & finest champagne.
Weather: 2013 was characterised by a particularly late growing cycle. The never-ending winter was followed by a very cool, late spring. we had to wait until the start of July for flowering to begin – something we hadn’t seen in Champagne for quite some time! Fortunately, summer was glorious with plenty of sunshine, record temperatures and very low rainfall, ideal for the ripening of the Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. the temperatures were cool for the October harvest and the resulting wines are elegant and fresh – the signs of a “classic” vintage.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Pinot Noir: Aÿ | Chardonnay: Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger
Grape Varieties: 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Ageing: 7 years on the lees
Disgorged: 2020
Dosage: 7 g/l
Malolactic Fermentation: 0%
Wines vinified in oak: 20%
Drink: Now to 2035
Champagne in clear bottles must be stored in complete darkness, it spoils quickly if exposed to any light source. Cristal is supplied in yellow wrapping (not shown in photo) do not remove it and ideally place in a box.
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Tasting Note: Light, delicate soft pink hue. Refined bouquet of freshly-picked tart red fruit and lemon scented flower petals. Aromas of fresh almonds, bread and spices. Intense and velvety on the palate. The juicy, concentrated red fruit gradually pulls towards a raspberry liqueur character complemented by invigorating, sweet citrus aromas. The harmony and delicacy of the wine is reinforced by the creamy bubbles which create a sensation of roundness and concentration. The mineral freshness lengthens the palate; it becomes vertical, chalky, saline and sapid with a sensation of perpetual acceleration created by the pure, bright limestone. A long and enticing finish.