1995 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”. By 1995, recent acquisitions had increased Louis Roederer's holdings from 180 hectares to nearly 190 hectares, ranking 97.5% on the official classification scale.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.

Made from a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay. Despite a mild Winter followed by a relatively clement Spring, marked none the less by considerable rainfall, temperatures in the Marne dropped to below 0 degrees Celsius on April 20-21, damaging close to 4 hectares of vineyard in Verzy and Verzenay by 20-30%.After a slow start due to a cool June, flowering occurred under good conditions almost 2 weeks later than usual. A spell of hot, humid weather at the end of June accelerated vine development.

Made from the finest cuvees pressed from the highest quality grapes from the Champagne Louis Roederer vineyards. 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.Tasting Notes: Brilliant pale gold colour. The mousse is delicately elegant with an extremely fine bead. The bouquet is intense, elegant and subtle with delicate aromas of almonds and the scent of freshly picked white flowers. A generous rounded creamy attack, the palate shows remarkable balance, finesse and openness. 1995 Cristal is true to style, fine and elegant with great vinosity and raciness. Serve well chilled. Richly perfumed, Louis Roederer Cristal 1995 is an exquisite aperitif or celebratory Champagne. The strength and finesse of Cristal 1995 make it an excellent accompaniment to delicate dishes including shellfish such as scallops, lobster and crayfish, John Dory fish and caviar.