New Release: 2013 Cristal Now Available For Investment

Mass Produced Product Of An Exclusive Character

Champagne is synonymous with luxury and exclusivity, and this is exactly where you will find some of the world's most famous and recognized superbrands in the luxury category. There is no way around Dom Pérignon or Krug, but another name that will never be forgotten is Cristal ­­­– the legendary prestige cuvée from Louis Roederer.

The Champagne House of Louis Roederer has remained an independent, family-owned house since its founding in 1776, and has enjoyed a magnificent reputation for quality ever since.

Today Louis Roederer is managed by Frédéric Rouzaud, the seventh generation of the family behind the house. He is in charge of a production reportedly in the region of three million bottles of Champagne a year, of which 80 % comes from the house's own holdings ­­– an impressive estate of almost 180 hectares.

From this huge production, some hundred thousand bottles in the best vintages, become the prestige cuvée of the house, Cristal. In this context, Cristal can be considered, somewhat blasphemously, as a mass-produced product of exclusivity, but the enormous production is only there to meet the massive demand. And while the huge quantities seem endless, the producer's volumes are emptied ahead of the next release, and the cycle is then repeated all over again.

The majority of Champagne is consumed at a young age, and this creates opportunities for those who save ­– they will be able to offer perfectly mature Champagne from a vintage that was otherwise sold-out long time ago. And who would not like to be able to drink a mature Cristal if the opportunity arises?

Latest opportunity in this category was released in March from Louis Roederer, and it is now available for investment: Please welcome 2013 Cristal

Although we still have Vinous' score to go by, the 2013 vintage stands as a strong and average vintage, which however stands a bit in the shadow of the 2012 and 2008 vintages.

However, there is a very plausible possibility that the average score will be even higher, as Vinous has not given Cristal a lower rating than Wine Advocate since the 2000 vintage.

But even if you might be a bit stunned by the sky-high ratings of the top vintages 2012 and 2008, you should take a moment to think: Is an average score across three of the world's most important wine critics, of 96.7 points, to be considered as an average rating, if we look at Champagne in general? No, it is far from average – it is outstanding

Champagne – The Wine World's Government Bonds

Champagne has historically delivered stable and steady returns. At the same time, this category is also subject to enormous ongoing consumption, which contributes every day to a reduction in supply. At the same time, there is no particular tradition of storing Champagne as seen in other categories, despite the demand for mature vintages.

Historically, Champagne prices have been less volatile, even compared to, for example, Burgundy and Bordeaux, which can already be considered as assets with a high degree of security. It is therefore no coincidence that Champagne is referred to as the wine world's government bonds.

Mature Champagne Turns Into Golden Drops

Historically, prices do not move much on young Champagne that has just been released, as in many cases, these are wines on which there is a large supply and an "enough for all" feeling. As volumes disappear and the Champagne matures, prices are normally seen to start increasing – increases which, for the same reasons, usually increase with time.

But while Champagne is a patient investment, it is far from always the case that you have to wait years for something to happen. Still, the last three vintages of Cristal have not been entirely dull, even if it is in the long run that the biggest price increases can be expected. For example, the price of 2009 Cristal has increased by 43 % over the past four years, while the price of 2008 Cristal has increased by 28 % since last April. The 2012 vintage has also increased by around 13 % so far this year.

If we look at the bigger picture, a good mature Cristal, e.g., vintage 1996, today costs at least € 488^*, according to wine-searcher.com.

*price per bottle without duty, VAT, and tax, in whole cases and perfect condition.

RareWine Invest's Opinion

Few things ooze luxury like the bubbly drops of Champagne, and in this company, Cristal stands as a solid benchmark of extravagance.

The 2013 vintage is the latest chapter in the history of Louis Roederer's prestige cuvée, and while it can almost only end up standing in the shadow of the two top vintages, 2008 and 2012, it still comes out strong with an undeniably high Cristal quality that places it at the better end of the "ordinary" vintages.

Champagne in general should be considered a long-term investment, with the great potential to be found when the supply drops in serious style, and the wine matures. Nevertheless, recent vintages of Cristal have also shown good short-term performances, while mature vintages today have also achieved sky-high prices.

The lowest price for 2013 Cristal on wine-searcher.com is currently €163 per bottle, but you can now get a strong starting point for your investment with an investment price of just €150.

This is your opportunity to invest in the latest vintage of Cristal, and secure volume while it is guaranteed to be available. An availability that is impossible to guarantee in the future.