Louis Roederer : Cristal Vinotheque 1996

A concentrated, aromatic rosé champagne from Louis Roederer

The property

Founded in 1776 in Reims, the Louis Roederer Champagne House remains family-owned and independent to this day. After more than 200 years of existence, the Louis Roederer House is still in the hands of the same family. Today, it is led by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the lineage, embodying the global epitome of excellent champagne wines through cuvées crafted like works of art.

The vineyard

With nearly 241 hectares of vineyards, the strength of the Louis Roederer House lies in its extraordinary vineyards, composed solely of Grands Crus and Premiers Crus in the Marne Valley, the Montagne de Reims, and the Côte des Blancs. The vineyards of the Louis Roederer House form a true mosaic of terroirs, divided into 410 plots that encompass the full diversity of the Champagne soils.

The wine

To give the wine more time on its harmonious path to ideal balance, Louis Roederer preserves a limited number of extraordinary bottles for 20 years in its cellars. The Cristal Vinothèque cuvées from Louis Roederer develop an increasing complexity of aromas and exceptional maturity in the stillness and solitude of the house's cellars year after year.

The vintage

A cool, gray winter preceded a long period of very low rainfall during the entire growth cycle of the vines. While yields were affected, the smaller berry size favored ripening and concentration of flavors. The few rain showers that interrupted the sunny September, with seasonally appropriate temperatures, were beneficial for the vineyards. The grapes were exceptionally ripe, had good acidity, and a high sugar content.

Vinification and aging

This cuvée aged in the bottle for 10 years and rested for another 10 years after disgorgement.

Blend

Pinot Noir
Chardonnay.

Characteristics and tasting tips for Cristal Vinotheque 1996 by Louis Roederer House

Tasting

Color
The robe shows a delicate pink with light copper reflections. It effervesces regularly and extremely finely.

Nose
The bouquet is complex, combining scents of nut fruits (hazelnut, cocoa bean) with ideally concentrated lemon notes. In the air, aromas of Vienna almonds, roasted almonds, and roasted pine nuts emerge, resulting from the long aging, followed by lush aromas of red fruits and lightly alcoholic raspberries.

Palate
The attack is indulgent and silky. With its chalky freshness derived from the chalky soil, it enchants the palate with toasty, smoky, and malty notes that blend with delightful flavors of fine, concentrated lemon.