Burgundy/Champagne
Timed Online Auction, 11 - 23 October 2023
Burgundy & Champagne
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
About this Item
Founded in 1776 in Reims, Champagne Louis Roederer is one of the few family-owned and managed houses. After inheriting the house from his uncle in 1833, Louis Roederer renamed after himself. Under his management, Champagne Louis Roederer remained true to its age-old philosophy of quality. While other houses bought in grapes, Louis Roederer nurtured his vineyards, familiarised himself with the specific characteristics of each parcel, and methodically acquired the finest land. Today, the estate owns nearly 75% of the grapes in the region’s most sought-after vineyards stretching from Montagne de Reims to Valleé de la Marne. Today, Jean-Claude Rouzaud and his son Frédéric run the business and continue to put quality before quantity.
Organic and Biodynamic practices since 2000 (not certified)
Self-regulated application of the below practices in vineyard and/or cellar. Main reason for not being certified is to allow for intervention should it be deemed necessary to maintain production.
Farmed and made according to organic practices, certified by ECOCERT (mostly Europe) and other organisations.
Certified organically grown grapes - no use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, or herbicides. Use of certain cover crops, methods of soil care, and other specified vineyard care.
Wine made according to strict standards - use of approved, organic yeast, and no added sulfites or other specified additives. Does not imply that the wine is vegan (allows for specified fining agents (including egg whites) and enzymes). In certain regions this is extended to chaptalisation and acid addition.
This lot consist of 1 bottle each Louis Roederer Cristal 1979 & 1989.
Critics Ratings
1979:
‘Deep copper colour. Very rich and, although it's a white wine, the colour, and appeal, is awfully similar to that of the 1976 Cristal Rosé!’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 19/20 (Jun 2019)
‘A totally breathtaking Champagne, the 1979 Cristal (magnum) is exotic and stunningly beautiful. Remarkably vivid for a wine of its age, the 1979 is simply emotional. White flowers, orchard fruit, graphite, tangerine oil, spice, dried fruit and citrus confit are some of the many notes that emerge from this spectacular, vibrant Champagne. From magnum, the 1979 is quite a bit fresher than bottle, which is hard to believe, as the bottles are magnificent. The 1979 is just a life-affirming wine. Moreover, it clearly harkens back to another era in Champagne, a time when vineyards were older and before the arrival of new clones and heavy fertilization strategies aimed at increasing production. On paper, 1979 should not have been a great year,” Lécaillon said. “It’s a super complicated vintage. When I went back to the vin clair notes from just after harvest, which I did recently, they all read ‘bitter, bitter, green, bitter.’ And then the wine ends up like this. I can’t explain it. You know, back then we used a lot of taille (second pressing), 10-15%, and it worked. Today, everyone says ‘I just bottle the cuvée, the taille is not interesting. I am using taille more and more. You know, taille is the juice you get closer to the skin, and in some years, it carries a lot of aromatics,” Lécaillon explained. “I think the future of wine is coming back to what is classic. The perfect imperfections,” he adds. This is the original disgorgement from 1985, with dosage of 12 grams per liter, typical of the era.’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 99/100 (Dec 2019)
1989:
'Massive scale. Very, very ripe nose but with great tension on the palate. Much more acidity and nerve than the 1990. Chardonnay much in evidence.' - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 19/20 (Dec 2001)
'Rich and deep, ripe and full-bodied, this offers toasty, almond, spice and even white-chocolate flavors, emphatic yet harmonious. Has firm mouthfeel and a long finish; though the flavors are maturing, it will still evolve well. Drink now through 2002.' - Wine Spectator, 92/100 (Apr 1997)
Provenance
Private Client
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