• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
Menu

Owen Bargreen

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Resources
Here is the thrilling new 2012 ‘Cristal’ Champagne.

Here is the thrilling new 2012 ‘Cristal’ Champagne.

Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Champagne

March 4, 2020

One of the great historic Champagne houses, Louis Roederer only produces their ‘Cristal’ Champagne in specific vintages. ‘Cristal’ Champagne was created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. The emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the House’s best cuvée for him every year as he was fond of Louis Roederer’s style. This Champagne was initially distinguished by being presented in a flat-bottomed, transparent lead-crystal bottle. The ‘Cristal’ brand was named after the lead-crystal bottle, which is particularly transparent and luminous. ‘Cristal’ Champagne blending is typically around 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir, although that varies on the vintage. Cristal is aged for 6 years in Louis Roederer’s cellars and then left for a further 8 months after dégorgement. The ‘Cristal’ Rose Champagne is always composed of estate fruit and the wine is primarily fermented and aged in steel, but roughly 15-20% of the blend is aged in oak. Over time the cellar master has been lowering dosage to 8-9 g/l. 

They have just released their 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Champagne (WWB, 97) which is an absolutely stunning wine that presents better out of a white wine glass (Riedel Sauvignon Blanc in particular) rather than champagne flutes. The wine is dense and layered, with serious range and tension. It really needs another year or two in the bottle to fully present itself but it is every bit stunning right now. This marvelous wine has decades to go.

Learn more about this great Champagne at http://www.louis-roederer.com/en/wine/cristal

2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne- The 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne is a thrilling, dense new offering from this historic house. On the nose this takes on rich brioche and baked Pazzaz apple flavors that combine with lighter kumquat and marzipan tones that all meld in the glass. Fresh and vibrant, with a remarkably silky mousse, the weight and richness of this wine is impressive, while the bright character provides a wonderful foil. Rich layers of lemon zest dusted brioche with toasted hazelnut and Gravenstein apple with lighter vanilla cream and starfruit tones seamlessly combine on the palate. As several hours develop, the wine pieces itself together more magically with the intense citrus components melding with its weighty stature. Marvelous at this stage in its development, the 2012 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Chanpagne will have an exceedingly long life ahead of it. Try to give this at least another year of bottle development before savoring. Drink 2021-2040- 97

← Review: British Airways First Class, London to SeattleLong Shadows Vintners →
 

Latest Posts

Featured
Jul 19, 2025
Diamond Creek
Jul 19, 2025
Jul 19, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
DeLille Cellars
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
L'Ecole No. 41
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 16, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
2025 Sonoma Report:
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 15, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Cimento
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Holocene
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 14, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Corison
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Bodega Catena Zapata
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 11, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Altesino
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Fidelitas
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 10, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Lange
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Echolands
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 9, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Walter Scott
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Argyle
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Fe Wines
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 8, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Prothro Family Wines
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Massican
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Arabilis
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Bibi Graetz
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 7, 2025
Jul 2, 2025
Tsillan Cellars
Jul 2, 2025
Jul 2, 2025