Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé 2007

Producer Information

Founded in 1776, and property of the same family since 1819, Champagne Louis Roederer is today one of the last major champagne houses to be an independent family affair. The annual production of its wines (Brut Premier, Carte Blanche, Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, Cristal, Cristal Rosé) represents just over three million bottles, distributed to 100 countries worldwide. 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

The Cristal Rosé 2007 is made from the finest Grand Cru vineyards at Aÿ. The limestone bedrock and unique calcareous clay soil enable the vines to attain exceptional fruit maturity complemented by a pure and crystalline acidity that is a perfect evocation of the Cristal style. Today the vineyards are cultivated according to biodynamic principles. This wine is only produced in the very best years.

Winemaking

A blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay, comprising 15% 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.

Vintage Information

2007 was a mostly warm year, characterised by unexpected and major weather events. A warm spring was followed by a cool summer. Drought had returned by the end of August. The end of the ripening process was excellent, and the harvests took place in ideal conditions.

Tasting Note

A light pink with a regular and persistent stream of extremely delicate and dynamic bubbles. A fresh bouquet with intensity and refinement, and an initial impression of ‘saltiness’: a blend of petals and dried flowers delicately spiced (white pepper) and blood orange zest. There is a sensation of the fullness and vivacity of a fine end to the summer, profiting from the warmth of the last rays of sunshine, giving concentration and energy. The lightly toasted almond notes add to the sweetness. There is an intense and concentrated blend of fruit on the palate, and the attack is high in energy. The tannins delineate the precise and pure contours of the wine’s solid structure. The persistent freshness, enhanced by the right dosage, provides a long finish and reveals almost Bourguignon grainy tannins.

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

Vinous: 97 points

Wine Enthusiast: 96 Points

AOC Champagne
56% Pinot Noir
44% Chardonnay

Natural Cork
12%
9.5 g/l

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