Louis Roederer Cristal brut 1962
€1,490.00*
2 Available immediately
Filling level 1cm, label and capsule good.
Product information
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 1962: A legendary vintage with its ups and downs
The Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 1962 is a champagne of historic significance. As one of the oldest vintages of this prestigious cuvée still available, it embodies the craftsmanship of the House of Louis Roederer, which first created Cristal in 1876 at the request of Tsar Alexander II. The 1962 vintage is produced only in exceptional years and consists of a blend of approximately 40 per cent Chardonnay and 60 per cent Pinot Noir, which matures on the lees for at least six years.
The tasting notes for this wine vary considerably – a phenomenon frequently observed with such old bottles. One source describes the 1962 Cristal as an ‘outstanding wine’ with a rating of 97 points. The colour is described as an attractive golden yellow with fine bubbles; the nose as surprisingly youthful; and the palate as full-bodied, creamy, toasty and endowed with fresh acidity – an ‘enormously full-bodied and intense’ Champagne with great harmony. Another tasting highlights aromas of butter, caramel and rich maple, comparing it to a DRC Montrachet, with a rating of95 points.
However, there are also less flattering impressions. One report describes a bottle with a dark gold colour which, upon opening, displayed a pronounced sherry-mushroom nose and notes of cold toast. On the palate, the wine was said to be “flat and sour” – “unfortunately not a particular pleasure”. This discrepancy underlines the importance of storage conditions and bottle variation in a champagne that is over 60 years old.
On the auction market, the 1962 Cristal fetches varying prices depending on its condition and provenance. Average auction prices in recent years have ranged between approximately US$1,500 and US$1,900 per bottle. In 2019, a price of US$1,729 per bottle was achieved at Zachy’s . As early as 1992, a bottle fetched GBP 286 at Christie’s .
Overall, the Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 1962 remains a fascinating collector’s item that impressively demonstrates the breadth and longevity of great Champagne – provided, of course, that you manage to find a well-preserved bottle.
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Alcohol: | 14 |
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Colour: | white |
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Country: | France |
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Filling quantity: | 750 ml |
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Flavour: | dry |
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Grape variety: | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier |
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Product type: | Sparkling wine |
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Region: | Champagne |
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Type of wine: | Champagne |
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Vintage: | 1962 |
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Producer: | Roederer Louis |
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Allergens: Sulphites
Bottler: Producer