2008 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut (1.5L)

Sparkling from Champagne, France

B-21 Top Recommendation
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Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, Cellar Master for Roederer, and Antonio Galloni, perhaps the greatest critic in print today when it comes to Champagne, sat down to "survey" (I love how professional they keep everything) multiple vintages of one of the world's greatest wines. Their event spanned 23 years, where they tasted half a dozen vintages in total. Their conclusion came as no surprise: Cristal – while gorgeously "fresh and floral when young" – possesses that rare, unique and unmistakable trait inherent in truly world-renowned Champagnes, being "capable of considerable development with bottle age, qualities the finest Cristals have in spades."

100WE

100JS

98V

This latest incarnation of the famous brand is a superb wine. It is on par with, maybe even better than, the already legendary 2002. Its balance is impeccable: Apple and citrus flavors working with the tight minerality to give a textured yet fruity wine. Produced from Roederer's own vineyards which are mainly biodynamic, the wine has its own intense purity and crispness. It has amazing potential and is likely to age for many years. Drink from 2020.

100 points, Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2017)

Disgorged October 2016 and will be the first Cristal to be released ten years from harvest when it is offered in 2018. 35 parcels used from a possible 45 in this vintage. The assemblage is 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. This is so fresh and tense and mineral with extremely exuberant chardonnay notes on the nose of white peach, lemon and yellow grapefruit, and hints of almost brambly sous bois aromas. The yeast characters are also super fresh, and there are subtle woody notes, with a hint of vanilla bean and light spices. The palate is super long, and very pure, powerful and focused. It drives deep and taut. Pinot noir is a strong core and the chardonnay sits at the edge offering lemon and white nectarine sorbet flavors. Staggeringly concentrated, yet the balance makes it seem airy and light. Acidity is perfectly positioned, and the power is intense and long. This is an ultra precise Cristal, finishing with a mere suggestion of savoriness and warmth to come. Impressive on release, this will be at its best drinking from 2025.

100 points, James Suckling (Jan 2018)

The 2008 Cristal is a wine that takes over all the senses and never lets up. The brilliance and cut of the Chardonnay finds an extra kick of resonance from the Pinot Noir to carry the mid palate and finish in this stunningly beautiful, chiseled Champagne. Lemon oil, almond, flowers, dried herbs and Mirabelle plum are some of the many aromas and flavors that develop as the 2008 shows off its pedigree. The 2008 is a regal, towering Champagne from Roederer. That’s all there is to it.

98+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous (Jul 2018)

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$999.98

1 bottle in stock. Ships in 1 to 2 business days.

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