In 1974, almost 200 years after the establishment of the Champagne House of Louis Roederer and 100 years after the creation of Cristal, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to create the Cristal Rosé cuvée. To achieve this, he selected old-vine Pinot noir grapes (using massale selection, which involves propagation from the vineyard’s most successful plants) from the finest grand cru vineyards of Aÿ.

The limestone bedrock and unique calcareous clay soil enable the vines (in the best years) to attain exceptional fruit maturity, complemented by a pure and crystalline acidity that is a perfect evocation of the Cristal style. Today, the vineyards are cultivated according to biodynamic principles. 

Over the years, Louis Roederer has developed a unique method for the production of its rosé champagnes. This process, referred to by Roederer as the "infusion" technique, allows the winemaking team to extract the juicy, ripe character of the pinot noirs whilst preserving their exceptional freshness. A small amount of chardonnay juice is added to the pinot noir maceration which then ferment together and integrate harmoniously.

Cristal Rosé 2015 is composed of grapes sourced from Aÿ, Avize, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. 15% of the wines are vinified in oak. No malolactic fermentation. The dosage is 7 g/L.

Bright with a pink hue and subtle coppery overtones. Dynamic, almost creamy bubbles, forming an attractive bead. A lithe, fragrant bouquet with a blend of citrus (Etna blood oranges), floral notes (rose petals), and concentrated red fruit (raspberry). It shows a particularly sensual and “powderyˮ quality with notes of toasted hazelnuts and macarons. This bouquet is exceptionally fresh yet restrained, unfolding with grace and assurance throughout the drinking experience. The palate is delicate, caressing, creamy and enveloping. The concentration of red fruit comes through again with raspberry aromas and fragrant petal notes, endowing the wine with a deliciously rich, satiny quality. The bubbles are soft and tactile, adding a further layer to the delicacy. Then comes an impression of chalky freshness and the hint of a sea breeze, in the form of a palate with a lovely trim finish. One can feel a distinct “freshness from the soilˮ supported by some lovely plump and saline tannins. This wine reveals depth, richness of flavor, a voluptuous texture with gentle tannins that provide structure without any hardness, and culminates in a saline finish.

An extraordinary vintage which is also the year in which the Champagne region was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! 2015 followed the continental trend of that decade: a mild, wet winter and a hot, dry summer. The summer, hot and sunny, brought record-breaking temperatures and water stress. The second half of August brought some very welcome rain, giving the vines some much needed relief. Thanks to this fresh finish, the vines produced juicy, ripe and concentrated grapes. Our ambition for this vintage? To capture the concentration which is the hallmark of this spectacular vintage!