2014 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Millesime Brut OC

France / Champagne / Reims
 
2014 Louis Roederer vintage Champagne Cristal in the winery's original gift box (OC).

Cristal is the flagship cuvée from Louis Roederer. Created in 1876, it is composed of Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs.

Intense, bright and luminous golden hue. Dynamic effervescence with a continuous stream of fine bubbles. Intense, fragrant bouquet of great purity. Concentrated and candied citrus fruit mingle delicately with notes of grain and lightly roasted almonds. The lovely sensation of big ripe fruit is balanced and lifted by energetic fresh tangy overtones. Fruity palate with a silky texture, complemented by soft bubbles that are perfectly integrated and deliciously elegant. The purity and perfection of the ripe yellow fruit melt into the intense chalky freshness, typical of Cristal, that is both powdery and saline. Dense, juicy, concentrated and long on the mid-palate, thanks to the spicy and sappy structure resulting from partial ageing in large oak vats (foudres). The finish builds to a crescendo, revealing a rich grainy and velvety texture that is wrapped in a long, saline and superbly elegant finish. 100% biodynamic (certified organic grapes).
 
Wine Enthusiast/Roger Voss tasting notes 97/100: "Still young, with toast aromas and shining white-fruit flavors, the latest release of Cristal is just setting out. A dry, tight core of intense flavors are shot through with minerality from the pure chalk soil of the 45 individual parcels in the blend. Drink this wine from 2025. Organic".

Origins:
1/3 La Rivière vineyards
1/3 La Montagne vineyards
1/3 La Côte vineyards
Main Crus: Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Ay, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant.
 
Blend:
60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay.
Aged for 6 years on yeast and a further 8 months in bottle.
 
Ratings:
Wine Spectator: 98/100.
Wine Enthusiast: 97/100.
The Wine Front: 97/100.