Roederer’s most famous wine was created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. Particularly fond of the House’s wine, the emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the best cuvee for him every year. To distinguish this cuvee, this exceptional champagne came in a flat-bottomed, transparent lead-crystal bottle. The new brand was named after this precious material, which is particularly transparent and luminous.

Produced only during the best vintage years, when the Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot Noir (around 60%) grapes have attained perfect maturity, Cristal is aged for 6 years in Louis Roederer’s cellars and left for a further 8 months after degorgement.

Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas, complemented by a powerful mineral quality with white fruit and citrus notes. Cristal is a wine that keeps well: it can be aged for over twenty years without losing its freshness and character.

The 2012 Louis Roederer Cristal is a remarkable Champagne blend, composed of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. This vintage stands out as the first Cristal produced entirely from organically and biodynamically farmed vineyards, marking a significant milestone for producer Louis Roederer. The wine was vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with a dosage of 7.5 grams per liter, clocking in at 12.0% alcohol.

Critics have lauded the 2012 Cristal for its complexity and depth. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded it 97+ points, describing it as having "aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream, and dried white flowers." Reviewer WK highlighted its full-bodied, concentrated nature and emphasized that it is "built for the cellar," with a broader and more muscular profile compared to the 2008 vintage.

Vinous reviewer Antonio Galloni gave the wine an impressive 98 points, noting its "textural richness and volume" and calling it "one of the most opulent, flamboyant recent Cristals." Galloni also mentioned that the 2012 vintage was marked by a complicated growing season, with mildew significantly reducing yields, which contributed to the wine's intensity.

Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss also awarded it 98 points, praising its "density, elegance, and poise" and indicating that it is "still impressively young, taut, tightly wound, and textured." Voss advised that this Champagne is best enjoyed from 2023 onwards.

Jeb Dunnuck, who scored the wine 97 points, highlighted its "gorgeous purity of fruit, seamless, layered mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a terrific sense of minerality on the finish." He remarked that this vintage could be enjoyed over the next 20 years.

Wine Spectator's review, also scoring it 97 points, described the 2012 Cristal as a "classic beauty" with a "harmonious grace of form suggesting a long career ahead." The flavors noted included "poached quince, Mandarin orange preserves, toasted almond, and pickled ginger."

Overall, the 2012 Louis Roederer Cristal is celebrated for its exceptional quality, structure, and potential for aging. It represents a significant achievement for Louis Roederer, both in terms of winemaking and commitment to biodynamic farming practices.