Louis Roederer : Cristal Late Release 2008

Tasting notes and characteristics of Louis Roederer's "Cristal Late Release" 2008

Tasting

Appearance
The wine displays a vibrant yellow hue adorned with subtle amber highlights. The effervescence stands out for its remarkably fine, steady and delicate bubbles.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens on chalky, powdery notes interwoven with aromas of ripe citrus and almond. It then unfolds into hints of harvest, lightly roasted cocoa bean and toasted hazelnut, all underpinned by a beautiful floral and herbaceous freshness.

Palate
The attack reveals great freshness and remarkable precision. The texture turns creamy and saline, carried by perfectly integrated bubbles and a tactile depth gained through its long ageing. The finish, long and saline, stretches out on noble bitters and touches of cedar, undergrowth and Havana tobacco.

Louis Roederer unveils a great vintage champagne combining precision and aromatic expression

The estate

Founded under its current name in 1833 in Reims, the Louis Roederer House is an emblematic figure of Champagne. Today led by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the sixth generation of the family, this independent estate stands out for its vast 242-hectare vineyard. A pioneer in environmental practices, the brand has extensively converted its land to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The seamless integration of mastery over its own vines with historical expertise enables the House to craft cuvées of exceptional precision.

The vineyard

The grapes are sourced exclusively from 37 plots classified as Grand Cru. This Champagne terroir is divided equally between "La Rivière", "La Montagne" and "La Côte", encompassing prestigious crus such as Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant. The vines flourish on chalky soils that promote deep rooting. For this edition, about 40% of the berries come from plots cultivated according to biodynamic principles.

The vintage

The 2008 year was marked by a cool summer that helped preserve a remarkable freshness in the berries. The harvest took place from 15 September to 1 October 2008, yielding a crop with a dense, powerful and highly concentrated profile.

Winemaking and ageing

The crafting of this "Cristal Late Release" 2008 is characterised by meticulous vinification in which 20% of the wines are aged in oak foudres. Malolactic fermentation is carried out on only 19% of the blend. Dosed at 8 g/L, this cuvée benefited from an exceptionally long ageing on lees of 12 years and 9 months, before being disgorged on 16 March 2022.

Grape varieties

60% Pinot Noir
40% Chardonnay.