Cristal
About Cristal
Cristal is the flagship cuvée of Maison Louis Roederer and has a history of its own that is more fascinating than that of many entire rival houses. Originally produced in 1876, Cristal was released following two decades of the increasing popularity of Champagne in Russia. Louis Roederer in particular was a favourite amongst the Russian aristocracy, with around a third of their wine being shipped directly to the grand houses and imperial palaces of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.
The period of Alexander II's reign saw sustained political instability, and the Tsar became increasingly fearful of assassination. Determining that the most likely method of his demise would be an explosive hidden behind the dark green glass of his favourite Champagne bottles, preparations were made for the finest wines Louis Roederer could offer to be presented in clear glass bottles.
Over 150 years later and Cristal is still one of, if not the, greatest expression of Champagne to be made. Modern winemaking techniques and a very talented, industrious team at Louis Roederer mean that the recent iterations of this vinous legend are amongst the very greatest ever made. Consistently challenging the title of wine of the vintage each year, Cristal is rightfully the pinnacle of Champagne.
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Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Champagne | 1 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. VAT
£904.01 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)This is only the sketchiest of notes as I tasted this wine quite separately from the wines below, in a much less propitious glass. It seemed very very youthful and not especially structured. Obviously far too young to drink though I fear that won’t stop most Cristal drinkers popping the cork. |
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|
Champagne | 1 | 18 (JR) |
Inc. VAT
£2,229.64 |
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Jancis Robinson (18)This is only the sketchiest of notes as I tasted this wine quite separately from the wines below, in a much less propitious glass. It seemed very very youthful and not especially structured. Obviously far too young to drink though I fear that won’t stop most Cristal drinkers popping the cork. |
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Champagne | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£2,080.01 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Disgorged four years ago, with four grams per liter dosage, after a decade sur lattes and six years sur pointes, the 2000 Cristal Vinothèque bursts with notes of golden orchard fruit, mandarin, white flowers and iodine. Full-bodied, ample and powerful, with a deep and layered core, lively acids and a beautifully pearly mousse, it's a long, sapid Champagne that's showing very well today. As Lecaillon observes, the Vinothèque is the house's riposte to "everyone who says Cristal is released too young—with the Vinothèque releases, we've exaggerated the aging process to make Cristal more powerful and more dramatic." And this release is certainly a formidable effort in a vintage impacted by hail in the Montagne de Reims. |
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|
Champagne | 1 | 95 (WA) |
Inc. VAT
£1,035.20 |
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Wine Advocate (95)Disgorged four years ago, with four grams per liter dosage, after a decade sur lattes and six years sur pointes, the 2000 Cristal Vinothèque bursts with notes of golden orchard fruit, mandarin, white flowers and iodine. Full-bodied, ample and powerful, with a deep and layered core, lively acids and a beautifully pearly mousse, it's a long, sapid Champagne that's showing very well today. As Lecaillon observes, the Vinothèque is the house's riposte to "everyone who says Cristal is released too young—with the Vinothèque releases, we've exaggerated the aging process to make Cristal more powerful and more dramatic." And this release is certainly a formidable effort in a vintage impacted by hail in the Montagne de Reims. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Champagne | 1 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
£748.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (18)This is only the sketchiest of notes as I tasted this wine quite separately from the wines below, in a much less propitious glass. It seemed very very youthful and not especially structured. Obviously far too young to drink though I fear that won’t stop most Cristal drinkers popping the cork. |
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|
Champagne | 1 | 18 (JR) |
In Bond
£1,842.00 |
|||||
Jancis Robinson (18)This is only the sketchiest of notes as I tasted this wine quite separately from the wines below, in a much less propitious glass. It seemed very very youthful and not especially structured. Obviously far too young to drink though I fear that won’t stop most Cristal drinkers popping the cork. |
|||||||||
|
Champagne | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£1,728.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)Disgorged four years ago, with four grams per liter dosage, after a decade sur lattes and six years sur pointes, the 2000 Cristal Vinothèque bursts with notes of golden orchard fruit, mandarin, white flowers and iodine. Full-bodied, ample and powerful, with a deep and layered core, lively acids and a beautifully pearly mousse, it's a long, sapid Champagne that's showing very well today. As Lecaillon observes, the Vinothèque is the house's riposte to "everyone who says Cristal is released too young—with the Vinothèque releases, we've exaggerated the aging process to make Cristal more powerful and more dramatic." And this release is certainly a formidable effort in a vintage impacted by hail in the Montagne de Reims. |
|||||||||
|
Champagne | 1 | 95 (WA) |
In Bond
£860.00 |
|||||
Wine Advocate (95)Disgorged four years ago, with four grams per liter dosage, after a decade sur lattes and six years sur pointes, the 2000 Cristal Vinothèque bursts with notes of golden orchard fruit, mandarin, white flowers and iodine. Full-bodied, ample and powerful, with a deep and layered core, lively acids and a beautifully pearly mousse, it's a long, sapid Champagne that's showing very well today. As Lecaillon observes, the Vinothèque is the house's riposte to "everyone who says Cristal is released too young—with the Vinothèque releases, we've exaggerated the aging process to make Cristal more powerful and more dramatic." And this release is certainly a formidable effort in a vintage impacted by hail in the Montagne de Reims. |