LOUIS ROEDERER Cristal Brut Millesime 2008 Bottle
Champagne & Sparkling Wines | France | Champagne | 75cl
£299.95 / £1,799.70 case
ABV: 12%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Wine Style: Champagne - Dry
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Description
Comes Boxed.
The 2008 vintage was characterised by an unusually dry and cool summer and undoubtedly falls into the ‘continental’ vintage category: dense and powerful owing to its exceptional concentration. Nevertheless, the unusually cool temperatures over the summer made their mark on the vintage, giving it a remarkable intense and saline freshness.
Cristal is Louis Roederer’s flagship cuvée. It was created in 1876 and is composed of Grand Crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs. Cristal 2008 was bottle-aged for 8 years before being left to rest for at least 8 months after disgorging in order to attain perfect maturity. The dosage is 8 g/l and is 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Complex and intense bouquet disclosing candied citrus, yellow fruit, Williams pear, pollen and toasted almond. The delicately seductive bouquet shows intensity and well-honed precision. The wine is powerful, full yet tight, on entry to the palate. The 2008 is undeniably well structured but in a particular way: the wine’s almost saline concentration has not been created by the sun, but is derived from the dryness of the chalk soil in a particularly cool summer. The result is a smooth, almost liquorous, mouthfeel that coats the palate with a powerful yet soft texture. This gives way to an incredible finish, underpinned by freshness and an impression of absolute purity with a taut and very saline character. This wine’s energy has been tamed by an unusually long period of bottle ageing: Cristal 2008 was in fact aged for 10 years before its release on the market. A first!
JAMES SUCKLING 100 points !!!
One of the masterpieces of this exceptional vintage (the last that was this cool). Ravishing nose of Amalfi lemon and white peach with hints of white chocolate, chamomile and oyster shell. Super-elegant and tightly structured with a hint of creaminess on the mid-palate adding tension. Very long steely finish carried by the linear mineral acidity. A cuvée of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, part of which (unusually for Cristal) underwent malolactic fermentation. Getting very scarce on the secondary market, partly because of the great aging potential! Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink or hold.
A Deeper Dive;
Champagne Louis Roederer
Louis Roederer is a prestigious Champagne house located in the Champagne region of France, renowned for its high-quality sparkling wines. Founded in 1776, it has a long history of craftsmanship and innovation, and it remains one of the few family-owned Champagne houses today.
The brand is best known for its flagship cuvée, Cristal, which was first created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Cristal is celebrated for its elegance, complexity, and aging potential, characterized by its fine bubbles and balanced acidity. The production of Cristal involves meticulous selection of grapes, primarily from the house's own vineyards, which are grown under sustainable practices.
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In addition to Cristal, Louis Roederer produces a range of other exceptional Champagnes, including the Roederer Estate and the Premier Brut. The house emphasizes the importance of terroir, sourcing grapes from some of the best vineyards in Champagne, including those in the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs regions.
Each Champagne showcases the unique characteristics of the grapes and the environment. Over the years, Louis Roederer has received numerous awards and accolades, reinforcing its reputation as one of the top producers in the Champagne industry. Its wines are widely regarded by critics and enthusiasts alike and remain a symbol of luxury and celebration across the globe. The dedication to craftsmanship and quality ensures that Louis Roederer continues to be a highly respected name in the world of Champagne.
