A birthday to remember with Louis Roederer Cristal 2009, and what a year it was. A terrible start paved the way for a stormy July that eventually led to a sunny, dry and warm harvest. As ever with Louis Roederer – Champagne’s largest biodynamic vineyard owner – organic agriculture is a huge impetus behind the excitement for Cristal 2009. The ‘greenest’ house in Champagne are convinced their efforts to convert the grand cru vineyards feeding Cristal have helped the wine to open up.
94 → 97/100 Essi Avellan MW
“An open, soft and welcoming nose with sweet lemony fruit, pastry tones, vanilla and a faint spicy edge. There is a ripe, generously fruity character behind the reserved subtlety of the nose. Bright fruit of exemplary polish. The opulent, fruit-packed palate is smooth-textured and round. The generosity turns into beautiful focus as the wine advances on the palate. Salivating, energetic, chalky-mineral and tight, promising great potential. ”
19/20 Jancis Robinson MW
“Tense and lifted on the nose. So very different from the vintage: much more finesse. Racy and elegant. Masses of acidity and tension. Lighter in texture than the vintage. A racy thoroughbred. So refined but very youthful.”
