In 1845, at a time when majority of winemakers were buying the grapes rather than cultivating their own, Louis Roederer took a visionary approach. Wanting to master every aspect of the wine’s creation, he acquired several Grand Cru vineyards in Verzenay. Since then, every Louis Roederer vintage originates exclusively from their own vines. Its tete-de-cuvee, Louis Roederer Cristal, is among the finest Champagnes in the world.

The estate, which originally comprised 100 hectares acquired in 1850, now extends over 240 hectares, carefully chosen from the best terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, the Cote des Blancs, and the Vallee de la Marne. The estate cultivates 3 traditional grape varieties: Chardonnay for its minerality, finesse, and elegance; Pinot Noir’s solid constitution which adds structure to the blends and prepares the wine for aging; and Pinot Meunier whose adaptability brings harmony and softness to certain cuvees.

The Louis Roederer House has remained an independent, family-owned company and is now managed by Frederic Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the lineage.

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 that showcases the pinnacle of winemaking in the Champagne region of France. With a beautiful white color and a cork closure, this wine exudes elegance and sophistication from the moment it is opened.

The nose of this wine is incredibly aromatic, with aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream, and dried white flowers. These fragrant notes set the stage for a full-bodied and concentrated wine that is built for the cellar. The 2012 Cristal is broader, more textural, and more muscular than the 2008 vintage, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract. It is incisive and searingly chalky, showcasing the unique terroir of the Champagne region.

This vintage of Cristal is especially significant as it is the first to be produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit. It marks a new chapter for Louis Roederer and demonstrates their commitment to sustainable and environmentally friendly winemaking practices. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage.

Renowned Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself with this extraordinary wine. It has received high praise from wine critics, with Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarding it 97+ points, James Suckling giving it a score of 95, Jeb Dunnuck rating it 97, Wine Spectator scoring it 97, Wine Enthusiast awarding it 98 points, John Gilman rating it 98, Jeff Leve giving it 97 points, and Wine & Spirits scoring it 95.

This Cristal is a classic beauty with a harmonious grace of form and a creamy, viscous quality to the mousse that swathes the palate. It carries finely detailed flavors of poached quince, Mandarin orange preserves, toasted almond, and pickled ginger. The finish is mouthwatering and mineral-laced, leaving a lasting impression.

This wine is a great Champagne to enjoy now, but it also has the potential to age gracefully for the next 20 years or more. It is a true masterpiece from Louis Roederer and a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of the winemakers in Champagne.