Louis Roederer : Cristal 2008

The Roederer style in a quintessential and exceptional champagne

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 Louis Roederer House is still owned by the same family. Now led by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the family's lineage, Louis Roederer boasts and embodies the excellence of Champagne around the world, through cuvées crafted like works of art.

The vineyard

With nearly 241 hectares of vines, the Louis Roederer House derives its strength from its extraordinary vineyard, made up solely of Grands and Premiers Crus in the Marne Valley, 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 the Champagne region's soils.

The wine

The House's iconic cuvée, first created in 1876 for the Tsar of Russia, Cristal is made from 45 exceptional vineyards, spread over 7 Grands Crus of the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs.

The vintage

Unique, testifying to the influence and expertise of the Louis Roederer House, Cristal 2008 transposes all the unique features of its vintage and of a dry but cool year. Density and power are the hallmarks of this 2008 vintage and provide a perfect combination between concentration and freshness.

Vinification and ageing

No malolactic fermentation. Following 10 years of ageing in the shade and coolness of the house's chalk cellars, Cristal 2008 reveals its utterly pure and harmonious expression.

The blend

Cristal 2008 by Louis Roederer comprises a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay.

Cristal 2008 by Louis Roederer : Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Nose

A perfect marriage between balance and complexity, Cristal 2008 reveals an intense bouquet in which candied citrus fruit aromas give way to gourmet notes of pear and almond, enhanced by delicate toasted aromas.

Palate

Immense and powerful, the attack translates the powerful expression of the chalky terroir which gives this champagne a deep and concentrated feel and testifies to the limestone’s influence. The feel displays this inimitable and full sensation, embracing the palate with a soft feel and liqueur-like flavours. The palate is taut with a brilliant acidity and stretches out superbly to a pure and fresh finish, leaving a deliciously saline and lingering sensation. With this Champagne Cristal 2008, Louis Roederer has produced one of the house's greatest masterpieces that follows in the footsteps of the excellent 2002 vintage.