As the largest independent family-managed Champagne producer, Louis Roederer rank amongst the region's absolute finest. Established in 1776, the House today is managed by seventh generation family member Frédéric Rouzaud alongside long-time Chef de Cave and Champagne legend Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. They own an astounding 242 hectares of vineyards many in chalk rich Grand Cru villages covering two-thirds of their grape requirements. Roederer have become pioneers in biodynamic farming & by 2012 all 78 hectares the “Cristal Estates” are farmed using biodynamic methods. By 2021 Roederer have 115 hectares certified organic. All the grapes in Cristal & other vintage cuvee’s come from their own vineyards. The estate is made up of 410 plots which are fermented separately in one of the 450 stainless steel tanks in their Reims cellars. In 2020 Roederer replaced Brut Premier with “Collection” allowing each years non-vintage blend to be identified and “re-engineering” the non-vintage cuvee to maintain freshness in the light of global warming on the Champagne region. Today Cristal is, widely recognised as the world's most awarded prestige cuvée champagne.
A rosé created by a long, gentle infusion of Pinot noir that extracts its juicy ripeness while preserving its tremendous saline freshness. In this process, some Chardonnay juices are added to the Pinot noir maceration, to ferment together and achieve the perfect integration of the two grape varieties.
Weather: A stormy and windy year. The season got off to a very early start and was followed by a dry and sunny summer. The grapes were fortunately spared the damage from the heavy rain during the harvest period. The 1999 vintage gave us powerful, concentrated, generous, seductive and luscious wines, fresh on entry to the palate and followed by soft notes of fruit and sweet spice. Harvesting from 15 September to 1 October 1999.
Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru |
La Riviere
Grape Varieties: 53% Pinot Noir & 47% Chardonnay
Lees Ageing: 10 years
Disgorged: 24th November 2010
Dosage: 8 g/l
Malolactic Fermentation: 5%
Wine In Oak: 26%
Drink: Now to 2044
Tasting Note: Complex and sunny bouquet of ripe, concentrated black fruit. The Pinot Noir brings us its characteristic refined aromas of fresh red fruit and peonies, complemented by a delicious, subtle oaky and chocolatey quality. On the palate, the wine is round and creamy with concentrated, roasted fruit. It is broad, generous and full-bodied, yet fresh, well-balanced and extremely light. The palate remains fresh and long, gradually opening up and leading to a long, spicy and slightly roasted finish. This is a very fine, delicious, well-structured rosé.
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.
Top quality grapes are the cornerstone of Roederer's style and account for their characteristic purity and elegance. 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. Created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia, the iconic Cristal is the essence of Roederer, matched only in decadence and luxury by its pink equivalent, Cristal Rosé.
Cellar Master:
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region:
Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 3,000,000
Chef de Cave History at Champagne Louis Roederer:
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon 1999 - Current | Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon has been the Chef de Cave at Louis Roederer since 1999, making him one of the youngest to hold the position in Champagne. He joined the company in 1989 and has played a significant role in shaping the house's style and approach to winemaking, particularly in the area of organic and biodynamic practices. He was instrumental in the transition of Louis Roederer to biodynamic farming, which now covers a large portion of their vineyards. Lécaillon's background in viticulture and oenology from the École Nationale Supérieure d'Agronomie in Montpellier, France, has been instrumental in his success. His work has had a significant impact on the renowned Cristal cuvée. Lécaillon's work at Roederer Estate in Tasmania and Anderson Valley, California, has provided him with a broad understanding of winemaking in different regions. Since taking the position, he has become the youngest Chef de Cave in Champagne.