1994 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne

Notes sourced from Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer is unique in Champagne owning two-thirds of the vineyards for their total production covering the Pinot Noir sub regions of “Montagne de Reims” and “Vallee de la Marne” with Chardonnay from the “Cotes des Blanc”.In 1876, Tsar Alexander II asked that his personal champagne be presented in crystal bottles, thus giving rise to the very first prestige cuvee. Today, the Cristal bottle exemplifies the quest for perfection which inspires the House of Louis Roederer to provide its demanding and refined clientele with exceptional Champagnes.

Grape Varieties: pinot noir 55%, chardonnay 45%

Terrain: Limestone

Dosage: 11-12 gms/litre. The "liqueur dosage" is prepared from a selection of 8-10 of the very best crus from Louis Roederer vineyards, which have been aged for 4-10 years in oak.

Harvest: Following a fairly drastic green harvest in Verzy and Verzenay in July, Louis Roederer Vineyards achieved an unusually high degree of potential alcohol. September showers meant Botrytis posed a potential problem, which Jean-Claude Rouzaud and his team successfully overcame by requesting permission to commence 2 days ahead of the official date and by eliminating any berries effected. The manual harvest occured between September 19th and October 1st. Eventual sugar and acid levels attained were very good. The year was declared a vintage in the spring of 1995.

Method: Made from the finest cuvees pressed from the highest quality grapes from the Champagne Louis Roederer vineyards (rated 97.5% on the Champagne classification scale and located in the best areas of the Champagne region). Today it is still produced in limited quantities, always as a vintage wine and only in exceptional years. A truly fine Champagne, Cristal is characterised by its finesse and elegance (derived from the high proportion of Chardonnay in the blend), and its enticingly delicate bouquet and perfect balance.

Colour: Lustrous flazen gold. The mousse is very fine and persistent.

Bouquet: A very expressive bouquet, intensely floral with the scent of hazelnuts and white flowers.

Palate: A generous rounded creamy attack, followed by good balanced acidity through to a finish of elegant persistence. The slight austerity yet fine vinosity of the 1994 vintage will see this Cristal develop with some time in the bottle.

Service: Serve well chilled. Richly perfumed, Louis Roederer Cristal 1994 is an exquisite aperitif or celebratory Champagne. The strength and finesse of Cristal 1994 make it an excellent accompaniment to delicate dishes including shellfish such as scallops, lobster and crayfish, John Dory fish and caviar.