Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2013

Producer Information

Champagne Louis Roederer was established in 1776 and is now run by the 7th generation of the family, Frédéric Rouzaud. With over 240 hectares of vineyards located exclusively in Grands and Premiers Crus villages, Champagne Louis Roederer is self-sufficient for approximately 70% of their non-vintage production and 100% of their vintage champagnes.

Pioneers in sustainable farming, Louis Roederer use organic practices in all their vineyards, and are certified organic in 115 ha, with the remainder of the estate in conversion.  The whole estate uses biodynamic practices and is inspired by the concepts of permaculture.  Working hand in hand with nature, respecting terroir and the pursuit of taste underpins everything they do.

In 1974, almost 200 years after the establishment of the Champagne house of Louis Roederer and 100 years after the creation of Cristal, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to create the Cristal Rosé cuvée. To achieve this, he selected old-vine Pinot Noir grapes using massal selection, which involves propagation from the vineyard’s most successful plants.

Vineyards

Grand Crus Ay, Avize and Mesnil-sur-Oger

Winemaking

A blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, comprising 20% of wine vinified in wood (oak tuns), which undergoes weekly bâtonnage (stirring by hand); it is not subjected to malolactic fermentation. Louis Roederer’s Rosé champagnes are always produced using the saignée (bleeding) process after cold maceration for five to eight days in the liquid phase. The Cristal Rosé cuvée is aged, on average, for six years in Roederer’s cellars and left for eight months after dégorgement (disgorging) to attain the perfect balance.

Over the years Louis Roederer has developed a unique technique for the production of its rosé champagnes. This process, referred to by Roederer as the ‘infusion’ technique, allows us to bring out the juicy, ripe character of the Pinot noirs whilst preserving their exceptional freshness. A small amount of Chardonnay juice is added to the Pinot noir maceration which then ferment together and integrate smoothly and harmoniously.

Cristal 2013 is 100% biodynamically farmed

Vintage Information

2013 was characterised by a particularly late growing cycle. A seemingly endless 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 high 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.

Tasting Note

Light, delicate soft pink hue.

Bright, vibrant, ultra-fine bubbles.

Refined bouquet of freshly-picked tart red fruit (wild strawberry, raspberry) and lemon scented flower petals.  The pure, precise fragrances delicately intertwine and are gradually joined by overtones of fresh almonds, bread and spices (cocoa bean). These nuanced, intricately interwoven fragrances are ethereal and transcendent.

Intense, velvety and captivating on the palate. What else would you expect after such perfume?  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.

Food Pairing

This is fantastic with lobster and beluga caviar, or a gourmet salad: lobster and foie gras. It also works with seared salmon or poached sea trout.

Serving Suggestion

Serve at 12°C

Press

‘A pale rosé colour of this great champagne leads to a wine that has toast, spice and layers of citrus and red fruits.  its richness is balanced by freshness that will take several years to fully mature’ Wine Enthusiast 97 points, Roger Voss

‘Like an orchestra that melds the voices of many components into one compelling song, this bright rosers precision balanced, seamlessly knitting an expressive range of ripe nectarine and raspberry fruit, Marcona almond, blood orange peel and candied ginger flavours with racy acidity and saline-laced minerality’ Wine Spectator 97 points, Alison Napjus

AOC Champagne
Pinot Noir: 55%
Chardonnay: 45%

Cork
7g/l
Yes
No (horses in vineyard)

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