“The ripeness of 2006 harvests makes it possible to achieve a distinctive culmination of structure and purity, richness and softness.” -Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Chef de Cave Late Release:Aged 13 years on the lees and 8 months post disgorgement ageing  Tasting Notes:Glistening colour with light amber highlights, with soft bubbles in a fine, slow and steady flow. There is a rich bouquet with confit lemon and orange, white flowers (lilies) and lightly roasted nuts (hazelnuts and almonds). On airing, the dominant fruitiness becomes intense: a sabayon of vine peaches, apricots, melon and mango. The texture is incredibly concentrated, like biting into a ripe, fleshy fruit. The palate is enveloped by juicy, creamy, silky fruit, which makes way for a pure, sharp, graceful freshness. Ripeness, softness and concentration arise from freshness and mineral quality, transforming the ripe fruit into a slightly sharp citrus flavour; the warmer notes make way for flowers, citrus zests and nuts. There is a lasting impression of harmony: the aromas, flavours, slight bitterness and freshness intermingling to form a perfectly integrated yet complex whole. A few hints of tatin tart and pastries add to the already complex range of aromas. Food Pairing:A fantastic pairing with seafood, such as crab and monkfish in delicate sauces. Serving Suggestion:Serve at 12°C Winemaking:20% of the wines are matured in oak barrels with weekly batonnage and no malolactic fermentation. The wine is matured for five years in the cellar resting for eight months after disgorging. Vintage Information:2006 was a very warm year, characterised by contrasting rainfall patterns. Following an unusually cold and rainy August, a warm and dry September hastened up the ripening process producing distinctive, rich and complex grapes. Decanter : 97 POINTSFantastic from the start. A colossal power of beautiful rumbling Pinot maturity. It’s like chewing on the ripest grapes from Aÿ and Verzenay. At the same time ultra stylish: unmistakable Cristal essence of peach and mango sweetness, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, sprightly acidity and citrus blossom. Many similarities with 2002 but with a clearer Pinot touch. Drinking Window 2016 – 2030. John Stimpfig Grape Varieties:55% Pinot Noir45% Chardonnay Residual Sugar: 8-10 g/l Background Information:Established in 1776, Champagne Louis Roederer is one of the few remaining completely independent family owned, great Champagne houses. In 1876 Tsar Alexander II, who was already a great fan of Louis Roederer’s champagne, asked Louis Roederer to go one step further and produce, for his own personal consumption, a unique wine in quality and bottle. Louis Roederer offered to create an exceptional white crystal bottle to house the best selection from the 7 finest vineyards of his estate. This wine was only produced in the “great” years when the ripeness of the Chardonnay and Pinot noir enabled a subtle, precise balance. The wine is the region’s most prestigious. The annual production of its wines (Brut Premier, Carte Blanche, Brut Vintage, Rosé Vintage, Blanc de Blancs, Cristal, Cristal Rosé) represents just over three million bottles, distributed to 100 countries worldwide.  In 1974, almost 200 years after the establishment of the Champagne house of Louis Roederer and 100 years after the creation of Cristal, Jean-Claude Rouzaud decided to create the Cristal Rosé cuvée. To achieve this, he selected old-vine Pinot Noir grapes using massal selection, which involves propagation from the vineyard’s most successful plants.