Louis Roederer - Cristal Champagne 2014 (Pre-arrival) (750ml)
Price: $375.00
| Producer | Louis Roederer |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2014 |
| Sku | 4702 |
| Size | 750ml |
Falstaff: 99 Points
?An initially faint but distinct hint of freshly cut green but ripe apple of lemon with subtle florality a mere touch of freesia hints at more nuance to come. More time in the glass reveals a sense of still briny oyster shell. The palate is like a summer breeze caressing the palate with finest creamiest foam ? and again that saltiness that is utterly seductive and appetising. There is immense vertical richness in that creamy but slender texture. Despite the generosity the creaminess there is nothing superfluous to obscure the wine?s essential and clear-cut luminosity. This is a model of sleekness understatement and depth an utterly compelling combination of briskness and emollience. Irresistible now but guaranteed to evolve. ?
vVinous: 98 Points
?The 2014 Cristal is another in a long line of gorgeous wines from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon. A dazzling vibrant Champagne the 2014 impresses with a stunning combination of fruit density and linear energy that bring to mind a hypothetic blend of 2012 and 2008. At times the bubbles feel totally wrapped up in waves of creamy resonant fruit to the point the mousse is barely perceptible especially with aeration. The flavors are bright and finely sculpted leaning very much into the citrus floral and mineral end of the spectrum. The blend is a classic: 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay taken from 39 of the 45 parcels that comprise the Cristal estate. In most vintages the Pinot components are roughly equally split between Verzy/Verzenay and Ay but in 2014 Lecaillon favored Verzy and Verzenay two north facing villages in the Montagne de Reims (where rain was less problematic) known for conferring saline energy and vibrancy. Rain was much more of an issue in the Vallée de la Marne. Consequently some of the Pinots in Ay were diluted and did not make it into the blend. Chardonnays were sourced from historic plots in Avize Mesnil and Cramant.?
Wine Spectator: 98 Points
This vivid Champagne has upfront and linear definition thanks to rapierlike acidity with finely meshed flavors of ripe black cherry and mandarin orange fruit raw almond anise and cardamom spice as well as a touch of honeycomb which all unfurl and expand on the fine creamy palate. Sleek acidity continues through to the finish with additional racy character provided by a streak of minerally saline and chalk which gains momentum through the midpalate and rings out on the well-cut lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2040. ?A.N.
