Louis Roederer : Cristal 2014

An elegant and pure vintage champagne by Louis Roederer

The estate

Founded in 1776 in Reims, the Louis Roederer Champagne House has remained family-owned and independent. After over 200 years of existence, the Louis Roederer House is still owned by the same family. Today, headed by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the family’s seventh generation, Louis Roederer embodies the excellence of Champagne wines throughout the world, due to its vintages that are crafted like true works of art.

The vineyard

Comprising nearly 241 hectares of vines, the Louis Roederer House’s strength comes from its extraordinary vineyard, made up entirely of Grands and Premiers Crus in the Marne Valley, the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs. An impressive patchwork of terroirs, the Louis Roederer vineyard is divided into 410 plots that reflect the diversity of the Champagne region’s soils.

For its 2014 vintage, the house has selected terroirs mainly located in Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Ay, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant.

The wine

The house's iconic champagne, first created in 1876 for the Tsar of Russia - Cristal - comprises 45 exceptional "lieux-dits", local hamlets, spread over 7 Grands Crus in the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs.

The vintage

The 2014 vintage is characterised by its shifting climate. Spring was superb and very dry. It was followed by a very hot early summer with a scorching month of June. But from July onwards, the weather turned towards a more autumnal climate, with cool temperatures and rain. The sunshine returned during the month of September, combining heat and dry weather.

The vinification and ageing

The work in the vineyard is guided by ever more proficient viticultural practices which enables the grapes to reach both a perfect balance and an optimum ripeness level. The vinification is carried out in wood, for 32% of the wine. The dosage of this 2014 Cristal Champagne by Louis Roederer is 7 grams per litre.

The blend

Pinot Noir (60%) and Chardonnay (40%).

Cristal 2014: Characteristics and tasting tips

The tasting

Colour

Cristal 2014 has an intense and brilliant golden colour, radiating both light and a fine effervescence.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is characterised by its intensity, highly scented and very pure expression. Citrus fruits mingle delicately with hints of roasted almonds, exuding a generous and ripe fruity sensation. Fresh and sour notes create a vibrant and fine expression.

Palate

Cristal 2014 embodies a pure and intense champagne. Fruity aromas, a silky texture and a soft effervescence all knit together. The expression of ripe yellow fruit leads to an elegant and salty freshness. The elongating spicy and seductive structure leads to a long, refined, salty finish.