This is the top-of-the-line Champagne from Louis Roederer Champagne House in Reims. Founded in 1776, Louis Roederer Champagne is one of the oldest Champagne houses in France. The Champagne house is known for producing the finest and most refined Champagnes, which in the early years were only popular in Russia. Louis Roederer achieved great fame in that country when, in 1876, the last Tsar of Russia, Nicholas II, requested that he create his own Champagne. Louis Roederer didn't hesitate and created a top-of-the-line cuvée. This cuvée couldn't have a soul in the bottle, as otherwise grenades could be smuggled in. This had happened several times before. The bottle also had to be entirely Cristal, which explains the name that still appears on the label today: Louis Roederer Cristal. The soulless bottle has always remained, but unfortunately, the bottle is no longer Cristal.
Ultimate top quality this Cristal Champagne
Today, Cristal Champagne remains Louis Roederer's finest cuvée. It's a Champagne made from the very best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. This cuvée uses Chardonnay bunches from seven Grand Cru vineyards. The vineyards are located in the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne, and the Côte des Blancs. These are where Louis Roederer's oldest and finest parcels are located. Since 1876, these vineyards have nurtured this rich Champagne, which is produced only in the very best vintages. The Pinot Noir and Chardonnay bunches grow on very old vines, which yield little. However, the bunches that can be harvested by hand are of outstanding quality.
Wood aging for the Louis Roederer Cristal
Once the harvest is brought in, a portion is fermented in oak barrels. Approximately thirty-two percent is aged in oak barrels, creating a unique potency. After the blend for this Louis Roederer Cristal is determined, the bottle is cellared. This bottle aging period lasts at least seven years, which is exceptionally long for a Champagne. Each Vintage is a unique blend of the very best Louis Roederer has to offer. Unfortunately, due to the low yields from the vineyards, this Champagne is very exclusive and not always available.
One of the very best vintages of Cristal Champagne
This vintage was one of the most challenging and powerful vintages of the past twenty years. It is therefore considered an exceptional year with great depth and ageing potential. This is evident upon opening the Champagne cork, as this Louis Roederer Cristal already reveals hints of spicy and candied fruit (lemon) mixed with white flower pollen. In the glass, it erupts golden yellow and displays soft, refined bubbles. Nosing the glass, we detect hints of roasted hazelnut and Madagascan vanilla. After aeration, the bouquet develops into rich notes of fresh pastry and smoky hints of bottle aging. A delicious, concentrated, and chalky palate. It displays incredible tension and perfectly honed aromatic precision. The attack is powerful, distinctive, and concentrated, revealing a silky, mouth-coating texture, characteristic of the ripe Pinot Noirs from this vintage.
2015
