In 1974, nearly 200 years after the creation of the Maison Louis Roederer and 100 years after the creation of Cristal, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to create Cristal Ros. To do this end, he selected old vine pinot noir grapes, according to specific characteristics, located on the finest of the A vineyards. Exceptionally, these vines lie on a limestone block with clay and limestone soil and in the best years, the vines achieve extraordinarily mature fruit with a crystalline purity of acidity corresponding perfectly to the Cristal style. Today these vines are organically grown. Grapes 60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay Harvest Report An extraordinary year that brought together all the factors that make for a great Champagne year: constantly warm temperatures without excessive heat or sun preceded by a markedly mild winter; a reduction in rainfall (about 20%) during the growth cycle; cool nights and a cold dry north-easterly wind from August to September. These exceptionally favourable conditions combined meant that the grapes matured perfectly and their fl avours were nicely concentrated. Harvesting started 12 September for the chardonnays with an average sugar concentration superior to 11% natural alcohol. Wine Making 20% of the wines vinifi ed in oak barrels with weekly batonnage. No malolactic fermentation. To create Ros champagnes, Louis Roederer still uses the saigne method after cold maceration that can last 5 to 8 days in the liquid phase. Cristal Ros is matured 6 years in the cellar and rests for 8 months after disgorgement to perfect its maturity. Dosage of between 8 and 10 g/l is adapted to each vintage. Tasting Notes A salmon pink hue, with radiant highlights and incredible youth. A regular, refined and lively effervescence. An intense, rich, bewitching bouquet of red fruit and citrus zest associated with more complex notes redolent of cedar and spring sap. The aromas evolve gently in the glass evolving from dried fruits, fresh almonds and frangipane, to notes of Tarte Tatin, oven-baked apples and caramel. In tastings, the wine is soft and silky on the palate with a marvelous harmony of flavour and concentration of fruit. The attack is fruity and crisp. Finesse and fruit combine to create a full palate that melts in the mouth, giving way to candied citrus and dried fruits. The exceptional characteristics of the 2002 vintage have been literally captured in this generous epicurean Cristal Ros 2002, which reveals a perfect equilibrium between concentration and finesse, richness and freshness, intensity and refinement. - Jean-Baptiste Lcaillon