Louis Roederer
Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend
Champagne, France
This was opened to celebrate my wife and I’s 4-yr anniversary as well as our daughter being one month old. A wonderful anniversary treat, courtesy of a very good friend!
My first time checking in on the ‘09. Very open and totally balanced. Everything works in harmony here. Citrus driven aromatically and slightly reductive with the first glass showing some of those flint/match stick traits but the citrus pushed its way forward with lemon zest. Touch of orange marmalade too. The mousse is fantastically creamy and rich. Not much yeast on the palate, but enough to add complexity. Beautiful balance of rich fruits without sacrificing brightness or purity accented by signature chalky limestone. Right down the middle in terms of reductive vs oxidative. Gorgeous!
This was opened to celebrate my wife and I’s 4-yr anniversary as well as our daughter being one month old. A wonderful anniversary treat, courtesy of a very good friend!
My first time checking in on the ‘09. Very open and totally balanced. Everything works in harmony here. Citrus driven aromatically and slightly reductive with the first glass showing some of those flint/match stick traits but the citrus pushed its way forward with lemon zest. Touch of orange marmalade too. The mousse is fantastically creamy and rich. Not much yeast on the palate, but enough to add complexity. Beautiful balance of rich fruits without sacrificing brightness or purity accented by signature chalky limestone. Right down the middle in terms of reductive vs oxidative. Gorgeous!
The 2009 'Cristal' is a completely stunning Champagne which impresses with its polish, complexity, weight and silky mousse. The brightness is wonderful with intense lemon zest and kumquat aromatics that all mingle in the glass. The soft mousse and bright effervescence really impresses. The freshness of the wine also shows beautifully on the mid-palate, displaying not only good weight but intense orchard fruits that mingle with the wet stone, and high-toned citrus zest accents. I love the silky mouthfeel that adds to the wonderful experience. This is settling in after some time after release. Drink 2019-2035- 95
The 2009 'Cristal' is a completely stunning Champagne which impresses with its polish, complexity, weight and silky mousse. The brightness is wonderful with intense lemon zest and kumquat aromatics that all mingle in the glass. The soft mousse and bright effervescence really impresses. The freshness of the wine also shows beautifully on the mid-palate, displaying not only good weight but intense orchard fruits that mingle with the wet stone, and high-toned citrus zest accents. I love the silky mouthfeel that adds to the wonderful experience. This is settling in after some time after release. Drink 2019-2035- 95
Jul 9th, 2019
Global Champagne Day 2018...Why not?
@Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew I'm not going to sabre this one, maybe another time. Nice post/feature today.
Seemed excessively frizzante when we opened the bottle, more mellow after an hour, quite nice. Lightly brioche, the Chardonnay is more prominent tonight. Light caramel on under-ripe peach, delish. At hour two, lightly saline, red fruit arrives, the terroir is making an appearance.
Global Champagne Day 2018...Why not?
@Casey @ Travelling Corkscrew I'm not going to sabre this one, maybe another time. Nice post/feature today.
Seemed excessively frizzante when we opened the bottle, more mellow after an hour, quite nice. Lightly brioche, the Chardonnay is more prominent tonight. Light caramel on under-ripe peach, delish. At hour two, lightly saline, red fruit arrives, the terroir is making an appearance.
light golden yellow, very fine persistent mousse; nutty, floral, autolytic nose; rich and creamy on the palate, 12% ABV, 8 g/L dosage; blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay aged 16% in oak, ripe vintage, Roederer released the 2009 before the 2008, $250
light golden yellow, very fine persistent mousse; nutty, floral, autolytic nose; rich and creamy on the palate, 12% ABV, 8 g/L dosage; blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay aged 16% in oak, ripe vintage, Roederer released the 2009 before the 2008, $250
Sep 3rd, 2018
This was fantastic; lemon, brioche, finesse and some richness. I haven’t had one in years and can only imagine how good the 2008 is - 2009
This was fantastic; lemon, brioche, finesse and some richness. I haven’t had one in years and can only imagine how good the 2008 is - 2009
Jun 22nd, 2018
Wellll this is my second favorite of the Champagnes I just got schooled in as part of the effervescence LA event I’m lucky enough to be attending for @Delectable Wine ! It is also Geoff Kruth’s first pick. What can I say... it is classic. Elegant. Toast and almost caramel on the nose. It reminds me of a toasty communion bread dipped in perfect church grape juice and I know that sounds basic but this is like...magical communion. I’d commune with it all day.
Wellll this is my second favorite of the Champagnes I just got schooled in as part of the effervescence LA event I’m lucky enough to be attending for @Delectable Wine ! It is also Geoff Kruth’s first pick. What can I say... it is classic. Elegant. Toast and almost caramel on the nose. It reminds me of a toasty communion bread dipped in perfect church grape juice and I know that sounds basic but this is like...magical communion. I’d commune with it all day.
May 3rd, 2018
Rich, creamy and radiant, the 2009 Cristal captures all of the natural generosity of the vintage while also retaining a good bit of freshness and aromatic intensity. Immediate and totally sensual in its allure, the 2009 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All things considered, at this stage, the 2009 comes across as relatively restrained for a wine from a warm year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2017)
Rich, creamy and radiant, the 2009 Cristal captures all of the natural generosity of the vintage while also retaining a good bit of freshness and aromatic intensity. Immediate and totally sensual in its allure, the 2009 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All things considered, at this stage, the 2009 comes across as relatively restrained for a wine from a warm year. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, July 2017)
May 1st, 2018