Louis Roederer Cristal 2012 Vintage Champagne 75cl Gift Boxed

Boasting the prestigious status as the preeminent independent, family-run Champagne producer, Louis Roederer stands as a paragon in the region's finest Champagne houses. The roots of the House extend back to 1776, now guided with finesse by seventh generation steward Frédéric Rouzaud and the renowned Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, an undisputed master of Champagne making. Roederer's impressive 242-hectare vineyard portfolio includes several chalk-rich Grand Cru properties, supplying two-thirds of their grapes.

The origin story of Cristal dates back to 1876, when Tsar Alexander II of Russia, an avid admirer of Louis Roederer's wines, requested a distinctive cuvée. He wanted a champagne that revealed its beautiful colour and effervescence in a clear crystal bottle with a flat bottom, a design element both aesthetic and protective against potential assassins. Answering the call, Louis Roederer cultivated the finest vines from seven Grand Crus on his estate to create Cristal, the world's first prestige cuvée. Today, the "Cristal Estates" span over 45 plots, each contributing to the unique profile of Cristal.

A pivotal moment for Roederer was the 2012 vintage of Cristal, the first to be exclusively produced from biodynamically farmed grapes. This year presented a challenging climate, with frost and hail during the winter impacting the initial bud burst. However, the adversity was mitigated by a warm August and September, leading to perfectly matured grapes and resulting in a stunning Champagne vintage.

2012 Cristal Technical Information:

• Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru
• Grape Varieties: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
• Oak Vinified: 32%
• Ageing: 9 years on the lees
• Disgorged: 2019
• Dosage: 7.5 g/l
• Optimal Drinking Period: Now through 2035+.

12cm x 10cm x 35cm