Champagne Louis Roederer

The success in Russia allowed them to acquire vineyards. However, when things started to fall apart in Russia, the house was seriously challenged and stayed afloat with the guidance of Camille Olry Roederer. Camille was instrumental in not only purchasing some of the vineyards Roederer owns today, but also setting the focus on acquiring vineyards rather than buying fruit. Today, Roederer owns 240 hectares of vines, with all of their wine (except the introductory champagne Brut Premier) made from estate fruit. With the current vision of Jean Baptiste Lecaillon, a staggering 100 hectares are farmed biodynamically and another 30 farmed organically, a number which increases every year. The success of the house is tied largely to the health of the vineyards, which produce immaculate fruit.

The grapes are pressed in one of their three press houses prior to moving to the cuverie for fermentation. The wines are fermented in a combination of stainless steel and larger Foudres. The vintage wines are generally pinot noir dominant, with a dosage around 8g/l. Only partial malolactic fermentation is allowed. They are usually aged for four to six years on the lees before release. While delicious young, they need another three to five years post disgorgement to show their true potential.

Cristal’s grapes are always sourced from the same vineyards, located on chalk in the villages of Avize, Cremant, Le Mesnil sur Oger, Verzy and others. The wine is generally around 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay with malolactic fermentation purposefully blocked. After roughly six to eight years on the lees, the wine is released with roughly 8g/l of dosage. It is also bottled uniquely bottled with a slightly lower atmospheric pressure than most champagnes, lending to a softer, creamier texture. While the wines shows their pedigree when young, Cristal is arguably the most age-worthy champagne produced. They can last 30-40 years if stored properly, and these older examples showcase the domaines efforts towards its goal: to be among the greatest wines in the world.