Champagnes

A key event in the success of Roederer was breaking the Russian market, as achieved by the elder Louis Roederer. As a result the blue-blooded Russians found themselves partial to the odd glass of Roederer Champagne, so much so that Tsar Alexander II requested that a special cuvée be created; one fitting to grace the table of a royal family. And so Louis Roederer II produced Cristal, regarded by many as the first prestige cuvée.

What made this sweet blend so distinctive was the packaging, being bottled in clear crystal rather than ordinary glass. It was a business coup for the Roederer family, although unfortunately one that backfired. The deposition of the Tsar that came with the October Revolution in 1917 meant that the Roederer’s lost their market. They had a lot of unpaid bills, and a large stock of sweet Champagne. But the firm survived, and remains in the hands of Roederer’s descendants to this day.

The range of wines is largely sourced from Roederer’s own vineyards, which provide the majority of the raw materials required. There are very good non-vintage cuvées including Brut Premier, the Extra Dry, Grand Vin Sec and the demi-sec Carte Blanche. These are all Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a roughly 2:1 proportion, plus a dash of Pinot Meunier. The vintage wines include the Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage and an oft superb Blanc de Blancs. The latter is obviously 100% Chardonnay, the other two are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in an approximately 7:3 proportion. The rosé is made by addition of red wine rather than the saignée method. And, of course, the aforementioned Cristal, which is also available as a rosé. Cristal is usually an approximately equal blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir; the rose contains more Pinot Noir, and again is made by addition of red wine rather than by skin contact

Wine Spectator : 91 points
"This goes for personality and finesse. An assertive, honeyed style, with plenty of citrus flavors. Mature coffee and roasted nut accents are peeking through, with a robust structure and a dried citrus aftertaste. Drink now through 2025." (Mar 2007)

Stephen Tanzer : 92 points
"Bright gold. Deep, subtly smoky nectarine and musky yellow plum aromas are energized by a suave mineral quality. Broad and fleshy, with deep, chewy pear, pit fruit and buttered toast flavors. A serious style, with velvety texture and excellent finishing punch. This has the concentration to repay cellaring but is open-knit enough to enjoy on the young side." (Jun 2007)

Bettane et Desseauve : 17/20
"Direct, pur et svelte, ce nouveau millésime de Cristal se montre encore très juvénile. Il gagnera à être attendu encore un à deux ans." (2009)