Cristal 2012

ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ? ᴛʜᴇ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴍᴏᴍᴇɴᴛꜱ? ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴀʀᴇɴ'ᴛ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ - ᴊᴏɴ ᴋᴀʙᴀᴛ-ᴢɪɴ

A big birthday call for an equally nobility of the champagne realm. NOTE- this isn’t a birthday post, this is about the golden queen in our crystal glasses.

ᴄʀɪꜱᴛᴀʟ 2012

ʟᴏᴜɪꜱ ʀᴏᴇᴅᴇʀᴇʀ ᴄʜᴀᴍᴘᴀɢɴᴇ

A unique history for an equally unique bottle - a Russian Tzar’s insistence on having a clear lead crystal bottle in order to easily see poison in the bottle. He also demanded that the bottle have no punt to prevent hidden explosives. The largest family owned estate is currently overseen by the 7th generation family member, Frédéric Rouzaud. Cristal is their flagship cuvée which was established in 1876. Cristal is composed of Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs. Being their first 100% biodynamic release in 2012, this is something special. The vines are average 40 years old vines from the same 45 blocks every vintage, all family owned. The cuvée is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, of which 32% is aged in oak casks. The wine undergoes 6 years sur lie following another 8 months before disgorgement. 7.5 g/L

Glistening gold in the glass with tiny exuberant bubbles. Inviting aromas of bright red apple, baked apricot, fresh and candied citrus, honey, chalk, white blossom and vanilla bean. After some time the smoke, toasted hazelnuts and freshly made pastries aromas appeared. First sip I was greeted with its purity of fruit. The layers were seamless and flawless. A beautiful mouthfeel that evolved from quince tart, organge marmalade, baked apple and dried apricot, lemon pith to truffles, mushrooms, cocoa, into chalky, salty minerality and anise with a long lingering fresh finish. Just beautiful in its elegance and supple in its youthful nature.