Louis Roederer   Cristal Rose

2008 Cristal Rose

By Louis Roederer

The 2008 Cristal Rose from Louis Roederer

Immaculate finesse and pinpoint precision paint a vibrant tableau as we turn our attention to the 2008 Cristal Rose from Louis Roederer. This Champagne, hailing from commendable lineage, is regarded as an exquisite specimen at the zenith of this celebrated house's contributions.

 

Setting the Vintage Apart

The 2008 Cristal Rose splendidly encapsulates the unique characteristics of its vintage year. Unpredictable and varied weather conditions in 2008 imbued the grapes with an exceptional vivacity and acidity. The climatic roulette served by Mother Nature paid rich dividends, crafting a vintage that stands towering amongst other illustrious brethren.

An extended cool summer, dotted with sporadic rain showers, led to a prolonged ripening process, accentuating the wine's intricate aromatic breadth. The striking minerality of limestone-rich soils undoubtedly plays a defining role in this signature complexity.

 

An Investable Choice

When peering through the prism of investment, the 2008 Cristal Rose from Louis Roederer presents a compelling proposition. Its remarkably delicate structure, coupled with the power derived from its pinot heart, facilitates an impressive ability for ageing. These traits blend harmoniously to generate promise for exceptional value appreciation.

 

Terroir Tells a Tale

The pedigree terroir of the Montagne de Reims lends a fascinating narrative to each sip. The chalk subsoil gifts a bright minerality to the wine, providing an illuminating backbone to the effusive notes of wild berries and delicate citrus zest.

The subtle whisper of finely tuned bubbles, subtly etched into the vinous lexicon of this Champagne, enhances its temperance—allowing different notes to waltz in sync while ensuring each flavor contributes to this symphony of sensation.

 

A Lasting Impression

Unveiling layers of nuanced complexity, the 2008 Cristal Rose from Louis Roederer leaves lingering emotions akin to brilliant poetry—an experience that commands one's attention and desire for just one more sip. Its distinct character undoubtedly ensures it stands proudly amongst vintages that have graced this fabled house—an investment in fine wine that offers not just financial rewards but sensory gratification in equal measure.

Current market price

$11,530.00

12x75cl

Highest score

100

POP score

346.5

Scores and tasting notes

100

The finest rendition of this cuvée that Lécaillon has produced to date—and, indeed, one of the finest wines produced by any of Champagne's important houses in the last two or three decades—is the 2008 Cristal Rosé, a brilliant wine that derives from a mere four of the 45 plots that are candidates for inclusion in Cristal: two blocks of Pinot Noir from Aÿ, one of Chardonnay from Mesnil and another from Avize, and I suspect that its origin in the crème de la crème of Roederer's Cristal-worthy holdings has even more to do with the extra dimension it possesses above and beyond its white counterpart than the delicate infusion of Pinot Noir phenolics that give it its delicate pink hue. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of wild strawberries, tangerine, warm pastry and crisp green orchard fruit, the 2008 is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a racy but beautifully integrated spine of acidity, a multidimensional core and a searingly chalky and laser-focused finish. Impeccably balanced and harmonious, this superb wine represents one of the qualitative peaks of this great vintage. It will be seven or eight years until it truly starts to blossom, but its benchmark quality is already glaringly apparent.

William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 5 March 2020

Vintage performance