Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne (Millésimé) 2014 750ml (with gift box)

Product Info

Terroir
This magnificent cuvée comes from the estate vineyards of Louis Roederer in Champagne, drawn from 39 of its finest parcels located among the “La Rivière”, “La Montagne” and “La Côte” vineyard groupings — including prestigious crus such as Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant. The 2014 vintage reveals a chalk-rich terroir characterized by limestone and sediment that provide crisp minerality and structure. Organic viticulture is now standard for the house, with a limited yield (c. 7,000-9,000 kg per hectare) helping to concentrate flavour and maintain purity of expression.

Winemaking & Technical Notes
The 2014 Cristal is comprised of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Approximately 32% of the wine was fermented/aged in oak, with the remainder in stainless or other inert vessels. Malolactic fermentation is blocked, preserving crispness and tension. The dosage is modest at 7 g/L, giving the wine a very dry profile that emphasises purity and minerality. The growing season was marked by early sunshine, a cooler rainy summer and a dry, warm September — this combination giving both ripeness and freshness.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2014 appears with a luminous pale gold hue and dynamic effervescence. On the nose you’ll detect candied citrus (mandarin, lemon-zest), ripe orchard fruit, fresh almond paste and white blossoms, layered with delicate brioche and honeysuckle. On the palate it delivers both richness and tension: silky mousse, generous fruit core, yet underpinned by razor-sharp acidity and a striking chalky/saline minerality that runs through the mid-palate and into the finish. Flavours of red cherry and blood orange emerge alongside fig, raw almond and fine spice (cardamom, anise). The finish is long, clean, mineral-tinged and exceptionally elegant.

Food Pairing & Service
Serve this wine chilled to about 10-11 °C (50-52 °F) in a large tulip-style sparkling glass to allow the aromas to open and the fine bubbles to show. Because of its structure and depth, it is absolutely appropriate to decant for a few minutes prior to serving. This Champagne pairs wonderfully with luxurious seafood such as poached lobster with beurre blanc, diver scallops in truffle butter, or oysters with a touch of sea salt and lemon. It equally complements refined white-meat dishes like veal medallions with morel sauce, or elegant cheeses such as aged Comté or brie de Meaux. It’s also ideal for special celebrations where the wine is the centrepiece.