2005 Louis Roederer Cristal Rose

The 2005 vintage was a year of marked contrasts between seasons and regions. Following a fairly harsh winter, 2005 had a mild spring with relatively warm temperatures all year long. There was above average sunshine and a slight water deficit, as had been the case throughout the dry cycle of 2005/2004 and 2003. The heat and humidity in July produced larger grapes and bunches, rather unusually for the Champagne region, while the cooler weather in August, followed by a very sunny month of September, led to favourable ripening in spite of heavy parasite pressure. 55% Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir maceration – cold soak – to get flesh. They racked the Pinot juice and added the Chardonnay juice. Just a few thousand bottles made of this from a 6 ha estate (3 ha in Aÿ and 2.5 in Avize). 100% biodynamic since 2008. Created by Jean Claude Rouzaud. Very pale strawberry indeed. A little cheesy, meaty and lively – great balance. Luscious and lovely already. Perfumed and seems much more advanced than the white 2005. Quite pretty. (JR)