Champagne Cristal Rosé 2014 - Louis Roederer
It's always a great emotion to find yourself in front of a bottle like this. For a bubbles enthusiast, in fact, it is difficult to remain indifferent in front of the crystalline glass of this iconic Champagne. Cristal Rosé 2013, Pinot Noir 55%, Chardonnay 45%, is a symbol of elegance and opulence. An important and complex wine which, despite its great popularity, has never lost the charm of a one-of-a-kind Cuvée. But let's start with the vintage. The 2013 harvest in the Champagne region was a very particular harvest. After a cold and long winter, in fact, the sun also arrived on the northernmost vineyards of France, favoring perfect ripening of the grapes which were harvested even in October. In the elaboration of this Champagne, grapes from the best areas of the region were used: Aÿ, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger. Winemaking follows a very particular process, unique in Champagne. Technically it is called "infusion" and requires that a part of the Chardonnay must is added to the Pinot Noir during the maceration phase, to ferment together and integrate perfectly. A part of the base wines, around 20%, is aged in wood and, after blending, we move on to the bottling phase to begin the delicate, and very long, secondary fermentation. Pale pink color, light and delicate. On the nose it reveals an extremely refined bouquet, with notes of freshly picked red fruits, such as wild strawberries and raspberries, flower petals and notes of lemon. All well integrated with a nice sensation of fresh almonds, bread and sweet spices. In the mouth it is rich and velvety. Harmony and delicacy are strengthened by the creamy effervescence and a pleasant mineral freshness. Delicate, intense and concentrated.