In 1845, at a time when majority of winemakers were buying the grapes rather than cultivating their own, Louis Roederer took a visionary approach. Wanting to master every aspect of the wine’s creation, he acquired several Grand Cru vineyards in Verzenay. Since then, every Louis Roederer vintage originates exclusively from their own vines. Its tete-de-cuvee, Louis Roederer Cristal, is among the finest Champagnes in the world.

The estate, which originally comprised 100 hectares acquired in 1850, now extends over 240 hectares, carefully chosen from the best terroirs of the Montagne de Reims, the Cote des Blancs, and the Vallee de la Marne. The estate cultivates 3 traditional grape varieties: Chardonnay for its minerality, finesse, and elegance; Pinot Noir’s solid constitution which adds structure to the blends and prepares the wine for aging; and Pinot Meunier whose adaptability brings harmony and softness to certain cuvees.

The Louis Roederer House has remained an independent, family-owned company and is now managed by Frederic Rouzaud, who represents the seventh generation of the lineage.

Roederer’s most famous wine was created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. Particularly fond of the House’s wine, the emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the best cuvee for him every year. To distinguish this cuvee, this exceptional champagne came in a flat-bottomed, transparent lead-crystal bottle. The new brand was named after this precious material, which is particularly transparent and luminous.

Produced only during the best vintage years, when the Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot Noir (around 60%) grapes have attained perfect maturity, Cristal is aged for 6 years in Louis Roederer’s cellars and left for a further 8 months after degorgement.

Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas, complemented by a powerful mineral quality with white fruit and citrus notes. Cristal is a wine that keeps well: it can be aged for over twenty years without losing its freshness and character.

The 2005 Louis Roederer Cristal is a treasure from the Champagne region of France. This Champagne blend is an exquisite fusion of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, a perfect marriage that brings together the best of both grapes. The wine is a beautiful white, adorned with a cork closure, and carries an alcohol content of 12.0%. The wine's label, simple yet elegant, matches the opulence of the wine held within.

The 2005 Cristal is a testament to the skill and artistry of the winemakers at Louis Roederer, excelling despite the challenging year for Champagne. On first impression, it offers up an inviting bouquet of crisp orchard fruit, nectarine, freshly baked bread, and subtle hints of honeycomb. As you delve deeper, you'll find a vibrant range of patisserie pear and apple fruit, candied lemon zest, pastry dough, and marzipan notes set on a finely detailed texture, which imparts an unmatched finesse.

Each sip is an adventure, a journey that takes you through layers of complexity. The wine opens up with a burst of apple tart, chamomile, dried flowers, pear, and brioche that linger, creating a tantalizing aftertaste. The mousse is very fine and almost imperceptible, enhancing the overall experience of the wine.

The 2005 Cristal is a wine of depth, density, and textural resonance. It boasts a finely balanced richness and age worthiness, making it a wine that can be enjoyed now or be allowed to age, developing further complexity over the years. Its unusually round and supple feel is a testament to the brilliant work of the team at Louis Roederer, turning out a stellar wine in a challenging harvest.

Renowned reviewers such as Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator, Vinous, Wine Enthusiast, Wine & Spirits, and James Suckling have all acclaimed this wine, with scores ranging from a commendable 93 to an impressive 99. These high ratings reflect the wine's exceptional quality and its potential to evolve and get even better with time.

The 2005 Louis Roederer Cristal is a must-try for all wine lovers, an exquisite taste of France's finest Champagne.