For the Tsars, Rap Stars & Me!

Product information

Louis Roederer Cristal Gift Box 2009

Champagne from Champagne, France

$280

Closure: Cork
Never buy Cristal that has been unwrapped! See why below!

Description

Cristal is the pinnacle of the Roederer family. This glistening drop has the most refined, soft bubbles that carry the heavenly lemon, orange, lily and hazelnut aromas to an explosive intensity, opening up to peaches, apricots, melon and mango. The mouth-feel is rounded, complex and full of concentrated fruit. This is a Champagne for life’s most special moments.

If you want to know more about your specific bottle head to Roederer’s Website and follow the instructions.

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Check out all of the wines by Louis Roederer

Why is this Wine so Yummy?

Why is it with that horrible wrapper?

Champagne is particularly susceptible to a chemical reaction called lightstrike. When UV and blue light makes it to the wine it can result in the generation of stinky chemicals with aromas of cooked cabbage, damp cardboard, and, sewage. To stop this happening Cristal is wrapped in orange cellophane. So, never by Cristal unless it, at minimum has it’s wrapper on. Lightstike can take as little as an hour of exposure to occur.

When working at Yering Station we release a Rosé version of Yarrabank in a clear bottle, coloured bottles filter much of the light. Everyone unwrapped it, and,  stuck it in the fridge under light for sale. End result, a recall! Happily it became the house sparkling for many staff. As long as you kept it in the dark and drank it immediately after opening there was never a problem.

The Tsar’s Wine

Our House’s most famous wine was created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. The emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the House’s best cuvée for him every year. He was particularly fond of the House’s wine. To distinguish this cuvée, 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.

Grapes/Blend

60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

Vinification

Cristal is a blend of Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs.

Maturation

The wine is aged for 6 years in the cellars and left for a minimum of 8 months after disgorging to attain the perfect maturity.

Appearance

A yellow-gold colour with mat and amber tints. Persistent, brilliant, fine and lively bubbles.

Aroma

A subtle bouquet, simultaneously discreet and concentrated. It releases notes of citrus compote and candied apricots and evokes the sweetness of honeysuckle.

Palate

When aerated, notes of vanilla-edged cocoa bean emerge, with toasted hazelnut, hints of liquorice and even a touch of cinnamon. The palate is structured, energetic and sculpted. An initial dense, ripe and silky sensation is amplified by the discovery of a chalky, cherry freshness, a powdered, almost mentholated brightness. The feeling is delicate and ethereal, a succession of delicious and colourful textures perfectly integrated within the lightness and finesse of the wine… an invitation on a journey of discovery. The bright personality of Cristal then appears, simultaneously pure and sharp, in a finish focused once again on chalk, energy and grain.

Vintage Notes

A continental, sunny year with a real winter that was very cold and dry followed by a glorious sun-filled summer and almost no rain in August and September. All this meant traditional vine growth, excellent health and remarkable grape ripeness for the production of dense, fruity and delicious wines. 2009 is an obvious addition to the select group of brilliant and accomplished Champagne vintages with a light, sunny character.

97 Points

“A very rich and full-bodied Cristal that harks back to 2006 or 1989 in style. It's round and rich, which underlies the ripeness of the vintage. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character with bread dough and flan flavors. The bubbles are so fine you almost don't notice them. Very vinous style. Drink now.”

96+ Points

"Rich, radiant and totally seductive, the 2009 Cristal possesses remarkable depth and striking purity. I have often felt that Cristal is released too young, but that is not at all the case with the 2009, a Champagne that is absolutely glorious today. The ripeness of the vintage comes through in spades in the wine's luxurious, enveloping personality. I remember tasting the vins clairs and the Cristal blend back in the spring of 2010. The finished wine is every bit as alluring as those early tasting suggested it would be. The 2009 is a superb Cristal in the making."

Antonio Galloni - Vinous