It is no secret that I love top Champagne. Louis Roederer only produces their ‘Cristal’ Champagne in specific vintages that work for their style. The first ‘Cristal’ Champagne was created back 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.
2013 was a very challenging vintage to make top Champagne. They had a cool spring and summer, with great conditions in September that essentially saved the vintage. I was totally blown away with the 2013 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Champagne (OB, 96) which has to be one of the standout wines of the vintage. This is beautifully textured, heady and shows gobs of freshness and finesse. While not quite as burly as the 2012, the 2013 is still quite big considering the other wines I have had from this vintage. It is truly singing now but also has decades to go. Learn more about this great Champagne at http://www.louis-roederer.com/en/wine/cristal
2013 Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Champagne- Sourced from the Côte des Blancs, Mountain of Reims and Grand Valley of the Marne, the 2013 ‘Cristal’ is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir with the remainder Chardonnay and 32% was large format aged before disgorgement. The nose evokes wild mushroom with lemon rind and shades of bergamot and wet stone. The classic tiny bubbles impress as this has gorgeous weight considering the challenges of the vintage. Lemon oil dusted brioche and cantaloupe flavors come to mind, alongside salted cashew and apricot tones on the palate. This finishes exceedingly long. Highly novel and exotic, this is glorious wine to savor now, as this outstanding ‘Cristal’ will provide drinking enjoyment over the next two decades. Drink 2021-2040- 96