Cristal Vinothèque
« Cristal Vinothèque is Cristal's ultimate experience, its culmination and its highest accomplishment. At the end of a long meditation lasting two decades, combined with late disgorgement and fine-tuning to the point of perfect equilibrium, it emerges as a fresh perspective of champagne, an even more perfect and exciting vision. »
A MYSTERIOUS SANCTUARY
Cristal is famous the world over, with its own army of devotees. However, few are aware of its exceptional ability to age in bottle and the intelligence with which this fine wine is able to take advantage of the passing years. These two virtues, rare in the world of champagne, are the reason why the House of Louis Roederer ceremonially preserves some bottles of Cristal in its cellars, submitting them to the benevolent influence of time.
THE UNEXPECTED EFFECTS OF PATIENCE
Made ready for their ageing in an ideal environment, the bottles are then isolated and the wine will gently evolve towards a harmonious maturity, developing a more complex bouquet and evolved flavours.
A CRISTAL, FURTHER AND BEYOND
A limited number of Cristal Vinothèque bottles were therefore aged “sur lattes” for around ten years. Their “dosage” was lower than usual, but just enough to allow them to make the trip through time comfortably. These very carefully prepared bottles were then cellar-aged in the Vinothèque, on their corks, for another ten years or so. The time had come to send Cristal lovers the message that, deep down in the Louis Roederer cellars in Reims, there is a small Vinothèque, where beauty knows no bounds !