Louis Roederer : Cristal Rosé Late Release 2008

Tasting notes and characteristics of Louis Roederer "Cristal Rosé Late Release" 2008

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a delicate, luminous powdery pink hue, traversed by a soft, creamy effervescence.

Nose
The nose, penetrating and generous, unveils a bouquet of fresh citrus (blood orange), wild raspberries and honeysuckle, before giving way to subtle notes of maturity: chocolate and toasted hazelnuts.

Palate
On the palate, the bubble is fine, tactile and saline, carried by a juicy, structured material magnified by extended ageing on lees. The chalky freshness characteristic of the 2008 vintage engages with lightly smoky nuances and an oily texture with gastronomic accents. The long, zesty finish leaves a beautiful saline and mineral imprint.

The elegance and depth of a rosé Champagne by Louis Roederer

The estate

Founded under its current name in 1833 in Reims, the Louis Roederer House is an emblematic figure of Champagne. Today led by Frédéric Rouzaud, who represents the sixth generation of the family, this independent estate stands out for its vast 242-hectare vineyard. A pioneer in environmental practices, the brand has extensively converted its land to organic and biodynamic viticulture. The seamless integration between mastery of its own vines and historic expertise allows the House to create cuvées of exceptional precision.

The vineyard

The grapes dedicated to the production of this cuvée come in equal parts from the Champagne terroirs of "La Rivière" and "La Côte", encompassing prestigious crus such as Aÿ, Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger.

The vintage

The 2008 vintage was shaped by a dry summer with surprisingly cool temperatures, lending the wines a dense, powerful character with beautiful concentration. This rare and pronounced summer freshness brought a unique signature to the vintage, combining intensity with saline minerality. The harvest took place from 15 September to 1 October 2008.

Winemaking and ageing

Cristal Rosé Late Release 2008 owes its singularity to its extended ageing of 12 years and 9 months on lees and 4 years post-disgorgement. This ageing gives this cuvée, dosed at 8g/litre, a distinctive expression of its own, blending chalky persistence and aromatic richness with a beautiful structure supported by a delicate salinity. Malolactic fermentation (16%) and vinification in wood (17%).

Grape varieties

56% Pinot Noir
44% Chardonnay.