LOUIS ROEDERER Cristal Brut ROSE Millesime 2013 Bottle
Champagne & Sparkling Wines | France | Champagne | 75cl
£495.00
ABV: 12%
Size: 75cl
Closure Type: Cork
Country: France
Region: Champagne
Wine Style: Champagne - Dry
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Description
2013 was characterised by a particularly late growing cycle. The never-ending winter was followed by a very cool, late spring. We had to wait until the start of July for flowering to begin - something we hadn’t seen in Champagne for quite some time! Fortunately, summer was glorious with plenty of sunshine, record high temperatures and very low rainfall, ideal for the ripening of the Pinot noirs and Chardonnays. The temperatures were cool for the October harvest and the resulting wines are elegant and fresh - the signs of a "classic” vintage.
Over the years Louis Roederer has developed a unique technique for the production of its rosé champagnes. This process, referred to by Roederer as the ‘infusion’ technique, allows us to bring out the juicy, ripe character of the Pinot noirs whilst preserving their exceptional freshness. A small amount of Chardonnay juice is added to the Pinot noir maceration which then ferment together and integrate harmoniously. The cuvée Rosé 2013 was bottle-aged for 4 years before being left to rest for a further 6 months after disgorging in order to attain perfect maturity. The dosage is 8 g/l and made up of 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay.
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A light, bright and clear rosé. Fabulous! Fine, steady stream of bubbles, evenly distributed across the glass. Complex bouquet ominated by an almost minty freshness combined with zesty fruit, wild strawberry and raspberry. The nose opens out to reveal spicy and smoky notes, characteristic of the Pinot noirs grown in Cumières, along with aromas of dried fruit, roasted almonds and cocoa beans. Underlying saline notes, reminiscent of sea spray. On the palate the wine is soft and smooth yet also piercingly fresh. A well-integrated wine with excellent body, pleasant freshness, long length and delicate mouthfeel. The body softens gradually and coats the palate with a velvety smoothness underpinned by a pleasant salinity and delicate hints of tannin from the flesh and skins of the Pinot noir grape. The finish is fresh, long and very persistent.
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.
THE WINE ADVOCATE - 100 Points!
Reviewed by: Kristaps Karklins
Drink Date: 2026 - 2053
"The 2013 Cristal Rosé from Louis Roederer is one of the most complete wines to be found in Champagne in this vintage, so utterly pure and precise that I would run the risk of exhausting superlatives trying to express its clarity. Displaying a pale hue, it soars from the glass with a bouquet of kaleidoscopic complexity, featuring notes of tangerine zest, raspberry and rose petals mingling with peeled almonds and spices. Enjoyed from magnum, disgorged in February 2024, the wine’s persistent palate offers a bright, vibrant core of fruit, refined mousse and fine-boned structure, with racy and fresh acidity and a long, chalky finish. “With 2013, I was confident from day one, which was not the case with 2008,” recalls Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, and the result in the glass precludes any argument about it—the 2013 Cristal Rosé is a wine that’s structurally complete, deep and multifaceted, even more spectacular than the white 2013 Cristal. When I asked William Kelley why he gave 99 points to 2013 if he rated the 2008 Cristal Rosé with 100, he for a moment insisted to me that it was the other way around."