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Orangey pink with delicate amber tints. Beautifully fine and even bubbles. Intense scents of raspberry, hazelnut, stone fruit liqueurs and sweet cocoa powder. The expression of Pinot noir is clear, bright and incredibly fresh. The rich, creamy palate is fresh yet concentrated and reveals tart notes of raspberry combined with blackcurrant and citrus (Sicilian orange). The texture is velvety smooth with as fascinating liqueur-like concentration on the mid-palate which gives way to a chalky, saline freshness from the magnificent white soils in which the Cristal Rose is born. 2000 was a chaotic, difficult and very rainy year. A succession of storms were accompanied by destructive hailstorms, the worst of which was in the Montagne de Reims on 2 July. Summer saw oceanic weather conditions and gave rise to a very classic style of wine: smooth, lush, elegant and precise. These seductive and discreetly powerful wines show the beauty of the Chardonnay varietal at its finest. Cristal Vinothèque 2000 is a celebration of the remarkable adventure of just a small number of bottles that have been laid down for 20 years in the Louis Roederer cellars as they continue their quest for the perfect balance. This cuvée was aged for 11 years "sur lattes" (stored horizontally) followed by 5 years "sur pointes" (upside down, vertical position) and benefitted from a further 4 years of rest after disgorgement.
Serve at 10-12 °C with canapés of foie gras, either duck or Gers goose.
The 2000 Cristal Rose emerges from the glass in a stunning display of well-articulated aromas and flavors. Everything in is perfect balance as this perfumed wine opens up in the glass in a style that recalls the weightless transparency of a great Burgundy. The finish is long, sweet and incredibly refined. I came back to the bottle several hours after opening, and the wine had blossomed into an extraordinary Champagne. In 2000 the Brut Cristal Rose is 70% Pinot Noir from Ay and 30% Chardonnay from Mesnil, Avize and Oger. Roughly 15% of the wine was aged in oak. Drink now.
The Champagne house Louis Roederer is associated with the legendary Cristal prestige cuvee, created in 1876 especially for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. But even without this Champagne, Louis Roederer has an impeccable reputation. To this day, the company remains in the hands of the family and is run by the seventh generation of Frederic Rouzaud, grandson of Camille Roederer, one of the most famous women of Champagne. Today, Louis Roederer produces two thirds of its Champagnes exclusively from grapes grown in its own vineyards. With 240 hectares of vineyards, most of which are in grand cru areas, even their basic Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne has an aristocratic elegance. Even in bad years, the Champagnes of the vintage year are surprisingly stylish, complex and long-lasting.
