Louis Roederer : Cristal 2013

The delicacy and rich aromas of a vintage champagne by Louis Roederer

The property

Founded in 1776 in Reims, Louis Roederer is a Champagne House that has managed to remain family-owned and independent. After more than 200 years of existence, the House of Louis Roederer is still in the hands of the same family. Now led by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the line, Louis Roederer embodies the excellence of Champagne around the world through cuvées crafted like works of art.

The vineyard

With nearly 241 hectares of vines, the House of Louis Roederer derives its strength from its extraordinary vineyard, made up solely of Grands and Premiers Crus in the Vallée de la Marne, the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. A veritable mosaic of terroirs, the Maison Louis Roederer vineyard is divided into 410 plots, reflecting the great diversity of Champagne's soils.

The wine

The iconic cuvée of the house, created for the first time in 1876 for the Tsar of Russia, Cristal is made from 45 exceptional plots, spread over the greatest Grands Crus of the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs. 1/3 of the grapes used in the development of this exceptional cuvée come from La Riviere, 1/3 from La Montagne and 1/3 from La Cote. The vintage 2013 will be remembered for its particularly late vine cycle. A long winter preceded a gloomy and shy spring. It is not until the first days of July that the vineyards reached full flowering, a rare phenomenon in Champagne. The ideal conditions during summer, which combined radiant sunshine, high temperatures and low rainfall, helped promote the optimal ripeness of the fruit. Carried out under the fresh temperatures of autumn, the harvest yielded elegant and beautifully fresh wines.

The vinification and ageing

32% of the vinification is carried out in oak. The dosage of this Cristal 2013 by Louis Roederer is 8g / litre.

The blend

The Louis Roederer Cristal 2013 blends 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.

The tasting

Colour

The colour is gold, adorned with subtle, bright reflections.

Nose

Powerful and complex, the nose combines aromas of yellow fruits (Mirabelle plum), juicy and ripe fruits (nectarine), citrus zest (candied orange) and finely grilled nuts (hazelnut). The nose seduces with its powdery olfactory impression, simultaneously soft, chalky and elegant.

Palate

Smooth and generous, the palate charms with its delicately vibrant effervescence, lending the palate suave, dense and juicy nuances. Reflecting its exceptional terroir, this cuvée is marked by its limestone freshness. Energetic and savoury, the smoothness reinforces the precision of the palate, a harmonious combination of elegance and power. Tannins of rare finesse combine with delicacy upon a savoury and saline finish.