There is not much to say about Cristal as it is one of the most recognized bottles in Champagne and also one of the greatest. For many years Roederer has excelled behind their Cristal champagne as one of the greatest Grand Marque Selections. Today we have the new release of Cristal, which solely comes from the 2015 vintage. 2015 was one of the hottest years in Champagne and caused low yields throughout. However, the fruit that did grow was of outstanding quality. While it was a warm vintage, this is not an overtly ripe, in-your-face early drinking vintage for Cristal, and quite the contrary, this is subdued and a bit of a sleeping giant with incredible potential and should really start to blossom after some time in the cellar. 2015 is going to be a vintage of Cristal that is going to go for the long haul, and while some patience is required for this vintage, it has the potential to be one of the greats. The 2015 might be a little shy right now, but the material is there, as noted by both Galloni and Kelley and is a fine, age-worthy example that should rank among some of the best vintages in time.
Antonio Galloni 96 points! "I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far - once as part of an extensive vertical I will be reporting on shortly, and then later in my office. Those tastings paint a portrait of a complex Champagne that is still finding its center. Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine’s fabric"
Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 95+ points! "If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985."
2015 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut
2015 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut
$369.99
$369.99
There is not much to say about Cristal as it is one of the most recognized bottles in Champagne and also one of the greatest. For many years Roederer has excelled behind their Cristal champagne as one of the greatest Grand Marque Selections. Today we have the new release of Cristal, which solely comes from the 2015 vintage. 2015 was one of the hottest years in Champagne and caused low yields throughout. However, the fruit that did grow was of outstanding quality. While it was a warm vintage, this is not an overtly ripe, in-your-face early drinking vintage for Cristal, and quite the contrary, this is subdued and a bit of a sleeping giant with incredible potential and should really start to blossom after some time in the cellar. 2015 is going to be a vintage of Cristal that is going to go for the long haul, and while some patience is required for this vintage, it has the potential to be one of the greats. The 2015 might be a little shy right now, but the material is there, as noted by both Galloni and Kelley and is a fine, age-worthy example that should rank among some of the best vintages in time.
Antonio Galloni 96 points! "I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far - once as part of an extensive vertical I will be reporting on shortly, and then later in my office. Those tastings paint a portrait of a complex Champagne that is still finding its center. Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine’s fabric"
Wine Advocate (William Kelley) 95+ points! "If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985."
