2015 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut

Community Tasting Notes (25) Avg Score: 94.8 points

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  4/26/2024 - csimm wrote: 94 Points

  This was a much better showing with this bottle than the one I had a few months ago. This was a bit more relaxed, slightly oxidative, but with notable concentration. Blind, I initially thought this was a 2015 Churchill due to their similar profiles and displays of fruit (once revealed). With its delineated linear bead and white/higher-riding yellow fruit, the Cristal was notably fuller than the Churchill. With air, it became more complex, which is where the subtle oxidative notes started to percolate.
  
  I favor the 2013 Cristal (and 2008, though that has been a bit hit/miss for me - though a 2008 we also had during this tasting was very compelling). The 2015 will likely be a very good wine after a few more years in bottle, but I suspect it will never be a top reflection of the brand.

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  4/23/2024 - Satoshi Nakamoto Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Powerful, yet crisp and clean. Bright acid. Lemon curd, white stone fruit, lime, yellow flowers. Reminds me of the 2012, as @DCWino mentioned.

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  4/14/2024 - MN Wine Junkie Likes this wine: 97 Points

  Champers and Napa Cabs Blind - Fun Times! (Chateau Simms): This was presented in a blind tasting of some high-end Champagnes:
  
  1. NV Ulysse Collin Blanc de Blanc Enfers (Extra Brut)
  2. 2015 Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill
  3. 2015 Cristal
  4. 2012 Leclerc Briant Château d'Avize, Blanc de Blancs, Brut Zéro
  5. NV Selosse Lieux-dits Extra Brut Ay La Côte Faron
  6. 2007 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Elisabeth
  7. NV Selosse V.O.
  
  2015 Cristal - Love Cristal! This was easily narrowed down to this or the Winston Churchill....how ever the crystal (Cristal) clear bottle top above the bag gave it away! Honestly, totally blind it would have been a coin flip. Similar profile, creamy mousse, tart apple and pear and loaded with minerality. This wine was more Yuzu than lime and slightly more minerality and slightly more rounded (less acidity) than Winnie. 96+ to 97. Also slightly behind the 08 and 13....similar to the '07.
  
  Note: I typically love this style more than the oxidative style when drinking them without food, but with salty foods (think caviar), I actually preferred the oxidative style which went remarkably well with the food!

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  4/14/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine: 97 Points

  Cristal has done it again with a refreshing, crisp, crowd pleasing wine. Although my palate has gone the route of egly/selosse/ulysse as of late, this wine will surely be in my cellar for those special occasions. I’ll leave the oxidative style bubbles for my fellow pinky up friends while sucking down caviar.

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  4/14/2024 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 96 Points

  Eyes Wide Shut - Day 2 (A quiet place): Nose: Clean fruits, fruits laden with crushed minerals, light white flowers and a fresh airiness.
  
  Palate: Nice salinity from the crushed minerals, prickly and lightly ripe, crisp white fleshed stone fruits.
  
  This had a nice plus-up since the last time I've had it, with a more intense delivery of the flavor profile. Very clean, fresh and crisp.

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