Sparkling dry
One of the most classically styled Cristal vintages, born in a challenging year and today regarded as a highly elegant, mature Champagne. The 2007 growing season in Champagne was far from easy: a cool, changeable climate demanded extreme precision in the vineyards, yet this very difficulty allowed the wines to retain high acidity, clarity, and impeccable balance.
Cristal is produced exclusively from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards, composed primarily of Pinot Noir (around 60%) and Chardonnay (around 40%), grown on pure chalk soils. The Cristal vineyards are farmed according to biodynamic principles, with every decision focused not on power, but on longevity and harmony.
The aroma is mature, deep, and multi-layered. It opens with notes of lemon zest, yellow apples, white peaches, and pears, followed by toasted almonds, brioche, butter, honey, and a delicate smoky nuance. With time in the glass, further layers emerge: wet stone, chalk, white flowers, and subtle spice, creating a calm, restrained, yet profoundly complex aromatic profile.
On the palate, Cristal 2007 is precise, taut, and silky. The acidity remains vibrant yet softened by age, while the bubbles are exceptionally fine and perfectly integrated. Flavors revolve around citrus freshness, white stone fruits, gentle nutty creaminess, and a clear chalky mineral line. The finish is long, dry, and impeccably clean, with an elegant balance of bitterness and salinity that lingers gracefully.
Serve as an aperitif at 8-10 °C with lobster, halibut fillet steak with wild mushroom and potato piuré, chicken rolls with foie gras, crispy duck salad, sweet and sour shrimps.
The Louis Roederer Champagne House, established in 1776 in Reims, France, has been crafting top-quality champagne, esteemed worldwide, for over 240 years. This independent, family-owned house gained fame for creating the legendary "Cristal prestige cuvee." To this day, the company's management remains in the hands of the family, with the seventh-generation representative, Frédéric Rouzaud, currently at the helm. Louis Roederer distinguishes itself by producing the majority of its champagnes exclusively from grapes grown in its own vineyards, a significant portion of which are located in prestigious Grand Cru territories.
Unique Louis Roederer Champagne Style
Louis Roederer champagnes are characterized by their elegance, subtlety, perfect balance, and aging potential. Great emphasis is placed on the highest quality grapes from their own vineyards and a meticulous winemaking process.
Brut Premier: The flagship multi-vintage champagne of the house, known for its balanced flavor and elegance. It is a harmonious blend of approximately 40% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay, and 20% Pinot Meunier.
Vintage: A vintage champagne produced in exceptional years, typically dominated by Pinot Noir (around 70%) and complemented by Chardonnay (around 30%). It exhibits complexity and aging potential.
Blanc de Blancs: A 100% Chardonnay champagne, distinguished by its minerality, elegance, and freshness.
Rosé Vintage: An elegant rosé champagne, usually made from Pinot Noir (around 70%) with a small amount of Chardonnay (around 30%). It offers notes of red berries and flowers.
Cristal: The prestigious cuvée, created specifically for Tsar Alexander II, made only from the best vintages of Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot Noir (around 60%) grapes. It is known for its impeccable balance, elegance, and aging potential.
Cristal Rosé: A luxurious rosé version of Cristal, produced using the saignée method from Pinot Noir (around 55%) and Chardonnay (around 45%) grapes.
Prestigious Louis Roederer Vineyards
Louis Roederer owns an impressive 240 hectares of vineyards, most of which are located in Grand Cru and Premier Cru areas.
Montagne de Reims: Renowned for high-quality Pinot Noir grapes, which provide structure and strength to the champagnes.
Côte des Blancs: Famous for elegant and mineral Chardonnay grapes.
Vallée de la Marne: Contributes to the complexity of the champagnes with Pinot Meunier grapes.
Their own vineyards allow Louis Roederer to strictly control the quality of the grapes and ensure the distinctiveness of their champagnes.
Aging and Best Time to Enjoy
Louis Roederer champagnes are aged for a long time in cellars, giving them more complexity and subtlety. Even the basic Brut Premier is aged for several years. Vintage and prestige cuvée champagnes, such as Cristal, are aged even longer, gaining exceptional depth and elegance. These champagnes have excellent aging potential and can be enjoyed both young and mature.
