In 1876, Tsar Alexander II, a great lover of Louis Roederer wines, requested a unique cuvée for his personal use. Louis Roederer created an exceptional crystal bottle, filled with the fruit of vines from seven great crus on his estate. The Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes provide the subtle, precise balance that defines this prestige cuvée.
Cristal is Louis Roederer’s flagship cuvée, crafted in 1876 from seven Grand Crus in Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley, and Côte des Blancs.
Winemaking
- 32% of the wines are vinified in oak.
- No malolactic fermentation.
- The dosage is 7 g/L.
Tasting Notes
The wine has an intense, bright, and luminous golden hue with dynamic effervescence and a stream of fine bubbles.
Intense, fragrant bouquet of great purity. Concentrated and candied citrus fruit mingle delicately with notes of grain and lightly roasted almonds. The lovely sensation of big ripe fruit is balanced and lifted by energetic fresh tangy overtones.
Fruity palate with a silky texture, complemented by soft bubbles that are perfectly integrated and deliciously elegant. The purity and perfection of the ripe yellow fruit melt into the intense chalky freshness, typical of Cristal, that is both powdery and saline.
Dense, juicy, concentrated and long on the mid-palate, thanks to the spicy and sappy structure resulting from partial ageing in large oak vats (foudres). The finish builds to a crescendo, revealing a rich grainy and velvety texture that is wrapped in a long, saline and superbly elegant finish.
Harvest Notes
A “weather waltz” marked by sharp contrasts! Spring was sunny and dry, ending with a June heatwave. Summer was cool and rainy, while September brought hot, sunny, and dry weather, resembling typical August conditions.
The vintage’s success lay in the soils and the winegrowers’ efforts. Chalky soil on the lower-middle hillside provided excellent drainage, helping remove excess summer water and preventing vine overgrowth.
Our eco-friendly viticulture practices complemented these factors, allowing us to push further in our pursuit of perfectly balanced, mature grapes.
For more information on Louis Roederer or visit their website here.
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