This wine is of very limited quantity. As such, the Digital Somm did not get a taste, but you can! Unfortunately, while that means there is limited detailed information and no Digital Somm recommendations associated with rating the wine, you do still receive loyalty points, so cheer up!
Chardonnay may be the most versatile white wine grape, often seen as a blank canvas. It displays various flavors and aromas depending on where it is grown and more specifically, how it is made. It can range in Palate Character from Bright & Crisp to Rich & Full depending on the climate. It is also particularly malleable and highly affected by winemaking choices like as malolactic fermentation, lees stirring, barrel fermentation and ageing practices.
Pinot Noir
Pee-NO NWAR
Pinot Noir is arguably the most revered grape variety in the world with origins in Burgundy, France where the best expressions can still be found. Pinot Noir is not only a tough grape to grow, it also shows miniscule differences in terroir arguably more than any other grape variety. Stylistically, it is generally higher in acid and lower in tannin but can vary depending on the location, and winemaking technique. It is very versatile with food, and shows a range of flavor from red and black fruit, floral, spice, earth, and mineral qualities.
In 1845 Louis Roederer acquired 15 hectares in Verzenay that remain under family control. Now in the seventh generation, they grow and make wines on 240 hectares, half of which are farmed biodynamically—their ultimate goal for the entire estate.
The wine’s flagship, Cristal, was created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II who wanted an exclusive bottle of their best wine, which was originally packaged in a clear, flat-bottomed crystal bottle. Only made in the best years, Cristal is aged for six years in the cellar and an additional eight months after disgorgement.
Since 2012 Cristal vineyards have been farmed organically. The wines fantastically balance intensity and refinement with a silky texture, complex white and citrus fruits, and a vein of minerality that seamlessly all come together in a long, persistent finish.