Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2005 1.5L
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2005, in a 1.5L magnum, is Roederer's prestige cuvée from a challenging Champagne vintage — a 55% Pinot Noir / 45% Chardonnay blend (unusually Pinot-weighted, with high Ay Pinot content), at 12.5% ABV with a dosage of 8 g/L, disgorged 2013. Fruit comes from Roederer's estate Grand Cru vineyards (Verzy, Verzenay, Ay, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant) under chef de caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. It is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- ABV: 12.5%
- Size: 1.5L magnum
- Vintage: 2005 — brut prestige cuvée
- Blend: 55% Pinot Noir / 45% Chardonnay; dosage 8 g/L; disgorged 2013
- Origin: Louis Roederer, Reims, Champagne, France — estate Grand Cru fruit
The Tsar's Champagne, in Magnum
Cristal was created in 1876 at the request of Tsar Alexander II — a clear-bottle prestige cuvée that has been Roederer's flagship ever since, produced only in great vintages. The 2005 was a demanding year in Champagne, and Lécaillon leaned on Pinot Noir from Ay to carry the vintage. Two decades on, this magnum format — prized by collectors for slower, more graceful aging — is drinking beautifully.
Tasting Notes
Pinot-driven depth: baked apple, brioche, toasted hazelnut and honey with chalky mineral lift. Rich and vinous, with the fine, persistent mousse of a long-aged Cristal.
How to Enjoy
Serve well chilled (45–48°F) in white-wine glasses rather than flutes — the wine needs air to show its breadth. A magnum is a Champagne for a table of six: roast chicken, lobster, or sushi all work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cristal in a clear bottle?
Tradition: Tsar Alexander II wanted a clear bottle so nothing could be hidden in the wine. Modern Cristal is protected from light by its anti-UV cellophane wrap.
What is the Cristal 2005 dosage?
8 g/L, disgorged in 2013 — a dry, balanced brut style.
Why buy a magnum of Champagne?
The larger format slows aging, preserving freshness while the wine develops complexity — collectors consider magnums the ideal format for vintage Champagne.
This 1.5L Louis Roederer Cristal 2005 magnum is available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA — a collector's format of a legend.