Louis Roederer Cristal 2008

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Cristal and the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Champagne House, Champagne Louis Roederer is unveiling a new, emblematic expression of its iconic cuvée: Cristal Late Release.

For the occasion, this rare cuvée, drawn from Champagne Louis Roederer’s private collection, bears the signature of the exceptional 2008 vintage. Magnificent in its depth and radiance, this icon of the Champagne region, highly prized by the most discerning connoisseurs, has now reached its full expression - a moment suspended in time, where perfect balance is achieved, and every element resonates in harmony.

Beautifully enhanced by an exceptional vintage, the Cristal Late Release 2008
captures all the virtuosity of a great year, combined with the perfect expression of a
great terroir wine coaxed out by extended ageing. True to the style of the original
Cristal, it possesses that same incredible freshness and timeless saline signature.

On the nose, a blend of ripe, candied citrus-like notes mingles with almond, wheat and
lightly roasted cocoa beans. Lightness and precision are the hallmarks of this champagne,
whose aromas are fresh, clean cut, and almost floral, as if the wine had just blossomed.
It has matured gracefully; its aromas and texture have concentrated over the years,
preserving the saline character and the drying freshness of the chalk that underpins its
initial finesse, all accompanied by a wonderful tactile sensation.

The bubbles have also benefited from the long ageing process, becoming softer and
smoother, melting into the texture, and thus reinforcing the salinity to the point of forming
“salt bubbles”. The palate, now deeper and denser, also appears more composed and
appetising, with a hint of white chocolate.

A sensation of great depth and remarkably fine balance pervades the whole. This is a
seamless, instantly appealing wine, with a saline character and a finish punctuated by
refined, noble bitters and lingering notes of Havana cigar, cedar, and undergrowth.