External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2020
2018
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2002
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
Show more
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 95.3 pts. and median of 95 pts. in 575 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by "Rhône Rider" on 5/4/2024 & rated 100 points: Stunning, flaske med brioche, grilla sitron, kalk. Ganske mye lengre enn forrige flaske for ca to år siden. Ettervern med blomster, røyk, evig lang ettersmak med revet sitronskall. Balanse ut av en annen verden. Min første 100-poenger. 100 (2187 views) | | | Tasted by csimm on 4/26/2024 & rated 96 points: This bottle was all sorts of good. It had the energy and freshness I expect, with the elevated budding complexity and focus I expect from Cristal. This bested a 2015 by a decent margin (which most would say no surprise, but I’ve had some hit/miss encounters with the 2008 over the past couple of years). I had a number of other top big house producers crush a bottle of 2008 Cristal, giving me slight pause at times.
As it goes with all things wine, a very good bottle one day can be a great bottle the next. So is the case here with this bottle of 2008. One of the better showings this time around. For me, I still think the 2013 is stronger overall and will/has/does typically lap the 2008. I know the 2008 is the darling vintage for Champagne, but I have yet to be convinced it is the vintage to end all vintages, as declared by others.
I say start drinking these 2008s now if you value freshness. Obviously it can hold for some time if you are seeking more oxidative features. (3593 views) | | | Tasted by bsumoba on 4/13/2024 & rated 98 points: Not much more needs to be said. Super yummy. I wish I had some, but I have friends who love this wine, so I will pester him every time he is in town to bring one. (3788 views) | | | Tasted by WineBurrowingWombat on 4/13/2024 & rated 98 points: Eyes Wide Shut - Day 1 (A quiet place): Nose: Fresh white and yellow fruits, with clean, dry and wet sparkling minerals. Quite lively and exciting. The fruits here are quite aromatic.
Palate: Clean and refreshing on the palate. Lots of clean fruits, light hay, minerals that are lightly sweet yet dry, as if it there were tropical fruit juices splashed onto a dried stone.
This was like a well needed, refreshing shower for the tongue after a long day. Cleans the palate very nicely. (3943 views) | | | Tasted by MN Wine Junkie on 4/13/2024 & rated 98 points: The Blind Side - no, not football! (Chateau Simms): Still going strong! Love this Champagne! Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Still a benchmark Champagne I think I will never tire of drinking! Still a solid 98! (3770 views) | | | Tasted by Puteljen! on 3/29/2024 & rated 94 points: Initially a bit closed with a shy nose of lemon and honeydew melon. Steel and chalk on the palate. Very fine mousse. Gradually opens up with more generous fruit, some bread and nuts. Reminiscent of a good panettone. Very, very long, chalky finish. Still young days here. Very good already but needs at least 4-5 years yet, probably more. (5591 views) | | | Tasted by BLam on 3/24/2024 & rated 94 points: Jim brought this wonderful wine for his BD dinner and it was impressive. (6176 views) | | | Tasted by Cailles on 3/18/2024 & rated 95 points: It has been 18 months since I last tasted this vintage. Until now, I found it not overly expressive or layered but always with an unmatched elegance in structure. My ratings have consistently hovered between 93 and 94pts. Revisiting now, I've observed a significant evolution: it has finally intensified in both concentration and expressiveness, though at the slight expense of its finesse. Still, this was the best bottle so far. And it's also the first bottle that made me more confident about the longer-term potential of this wine. But contrary to critical opinion, I don't think that this will be the best big house 2008 (and btw, the 2012 always showed more promising and still does). 95/96pts
TN: Expressive right from the go and without much air. Layered and highly precise aromas of peach, lemon,white fruit, slate and saline minerality, a beautiful toffee and slight buttery note. Super mid-palate weight and long finish. Great freshness and a lot of cut. It’s no longer as fine and elegant as before but gained some edges but still well-built and time will bring that softness back. All in all a great Champagne to drink.
Decanting: No extensive decanting needed. (6741 views) | | | Tasted by sirpat00 on 3/1/2024 & rated 98 points: Checking back in after my last visit in 2022. Since then this started to add more autolytic notes of bakery and brioche to complement the mineral notes of crushed rocks. The fruit profile consists of pear with a splash of lime juice. Also elements of almonds and bergamot. The palate adds more nutty complexity, comes across as precise and linear with crisp acidity providing characterful edges. The finish requires binoculars to spot the end. This is gaining in breadth and structure, has become more vinous in the overall mouthfeel and if anything is even better than early in the bottle. (7231 views) | | | Tasted by lousall on 2/22/2024 & rated 95 points: Great bottle...sad that I don't have another. Opened for my wife's 65th birthday at a Michelin 1 star. They both delivered! (7930 views) | | | Tasted by Eriklainen on 2/18/2024: Per 50. Hazelnuts and egg yolk, mandarins and marzipan. It is so well balanced. Acid now much more relaxed. Lovely reduction. Evolves. (7448 views) | | | Tasted by Montesquieu on 2/14/2024 & rated 92 points: Rating just this bottle, and not a prior one, I'm underwhelmed by the experience relative to the price and hype. The lemon intensity overwhelms other flavors. I didn't experience great complexity or beauty. It was simple, crisp, clean - solid, but not 100 points or $200+. I've had $30 California sparklers of comparable enjoyment. My rating reflects glasses over the first two hours after opening and again the next day. (7767 views) | | | Tasted by Jeremy Holmes on 2/12/2024: Still very youthful, but starting to relax and shows its dosage a little. Fresh orchard fruits, biscuit and brioche. Fine, fluffy and intense. Cut by the wonderful acidity of the vintage. Very long. (7704 views) | | | Tasted by SARED on 2/10/2024 & rated 95 points: Tight and fruity on open. Picked up oxidative notes after 30 minutes. Best glass was just before it was finished after 2 hours of air where the fruit and complexity started to get married together. (6334 views) | | | Tasted by SH Wu on 2/4/2024 & rated 98 points: Opened 2 hours ahead of serving. Served via direct waterfall from a porron.
The penetrating beam of cristal acidity strikes the palate with explosive impact. A variegated spectrum of rich orchard fruits fan out on the palate, with a piercing ray of acidity keeping the fruit party going from the front of the mouth to the back. A lemon creme brulee finish engulfs the energetic liquid down the throat.
One could argue this was not the best serving method for wine appreciation. However, with how well the wine showed (perhaps from aerating on the way out the porron), the 08 delivered pure visceral exhilaration that could not be matched any other way. (6507 views) | | | Tasted by D!n@sh on 2/4/2024 & rated 97 points: Opened 1st one of the 6 I had bought. Amazing champagne. I was worried that this maybe closed. But amazing fruit. It balances toasty notes and clarity in a way there aren’t many champagnes out there.
Came home and pulled the trigger on another 6. That’s how good it was. (7109 views) | | | Tasted by chablis28 on 1/20/2024 & rated 97 points: Same btl as rocknroller. Nita & I along with Kevin & Vicki to further celebrate our 45th wedding anni at The Kenwood in Minneapolis. This is a legend in the making and thus there's a tendency to come in with 110pt expectations. There is still so much power to unwind & depth yet to emerge but, if you take a breath and sit with this through the evening you realize it's already amazing. The concentration, intensity and purity here is something to behold. I only have one and its wonderful to check in on this masterpiece! I'll do my best to make sure Kevin & Vicki are available when we open our last. I only open wines like this for momentous moments like Nita's & my 45th and, when possible, in the Tetons after a hike, climb or a great day fly fishing! A truly special wine only for special occasions, for me. Thanks guys! (9363 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 1/20/2024 & rated 95 points: Light gold color. Drank 2 glasses over an hour plus. The aromatics on this are seriously impressive, they hit at the highest olfactory register with intensity, filled with this pristine sweet essence of fruit, so floral, bright and forward, orchard fruit on the nose, more apple and pear withsome peach notes, which gradually give some way to allow the mineral notes to emerge. The palate is equally invigorating, as it brings forth that lovely fruit, starting with green fruits, especially the tart green apple, then ushering in more Meyer lemon and minerality and some saline on the back end as the chalk shows itself. Very, very long as this really lingers. Extremely enjoyable now, but this is back to really being a baby again. 95(+)pts.
(8002 views) | | | Tasted by Keith Levenberg on 1/20/2024: Nice stuff. Meyer lemon fruit with lots of zest and chalk to give it texture, and picking up some thickness and creaminess with bottle age. Cristal always tastes more like BdB than brut to me and so it is again here. Just a few more years should put it in the perfect spot. (8403 views) | | | Tasted by aquacongas on 1/18/2024 & rated 96 points: not blind
Still a very young champagne. You could drink 2-3 bottles if they wouldn't be that expensive. 2 decades ahead. 96 (8183 views) | | | Tasted by PanosKakaviatos on 1/16/2024 & rated 97 points: An evening of fine wine and food (Black Salt Restaurant, Washington D.C.): At first it seemed a bit "merely" citrus, especially when one considers the price of this wine, and the vintage. But do not be quick to judge. Over time, the wine showed off subtle depth and body, with structure to last, although I prefer Cristal when youthful. Over time the brightness also increased in excitement, with vivid notions of white pear, lime/lemon and gorgeously savory blood red orange. The finish was especially long and tonic. A superb wine that paired very well with briny raw oysters, which we had ordered to start. (7099 views) | | | Tasted by vespa110 on 1/3/2024 & rated 95 points: Giallo paglierino scarico, naso bianco di frutta e fiori, cenni minerali e di pietra, bocca suntuosa, nervosa, frutta bianca, scia elettrica ma necessita di tempo. (8005 views) | | | Tasted by zanksta on 1/1/2024: ‘Wow’ stuff. So glad this bottle delivered the goods.
The fruit is gorgeous and varied: citrus, fleshy tree fruits. At the same time bread and toast weave in and out.
I’m not any kind of champagne expert but this is far and away the best pour of the stuff I’ve experienced. (7349 views) | | | Tasted by UFGators on 12/31/2023: Another year on the books. Give this at least an hour open preferably two and it will be singing. Epic juice. Keeps getting better and better. Still so youthfull. This will improve for 5-10 years and then last for at least another decade. (6625 views) | | | Tasted by JenVinoCO on 12/25/2023: Ick (6517 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Roederer Cristal Full Circle: 1993-2015 (Dec 2023) (12/1/2023)
(Roederer Cristal Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (7/21/2023)
(Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal, France) Subscribe to see review text. | By Georgina Hindle
Decanter, Louis Roederer: DFWE Masterclass New York (6/10/2023)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal, Pinot Noir / Pinot Nero, Champagne, France, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (6/28/2022)
(Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal, France) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/18/2021)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/18/2021)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jasper Morris
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy, 2008 Vintage Champagne (2/9/2020)
(Cristal, Louis Roederer, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Champagne – 2019 Fall Releases (Dec 2019) (12/1/2019)
(Roederer Cristal Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Yohan Castaing
Decanter, Top Champagne - Latest Release (11/4/2019)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal, Champagne, France, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Nov/Dec 2019, Issue #84, Recently-Tasted Champagne Winter 2019
(Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Millésime (Reims)) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Allen Meadows
Burghound, Oct-19, Issue #76
(Louis Roederer Brut - Cristal Champagne/Sparkling) Subscribe to see review text. | By Brad Baker
Champagne Warrior, October 2019, Issue #23
(Louis Roederer Cristal) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/19/2019)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, Up From The Cellar #4 & Misc New Releases (12/13/2018)
(Louis Roederer Cristal White Sparkling) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/19/2018)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (11/1/2018)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Champagne: The 2018 Summer Preview (Jul 2018) (7/1/2018)
(Roederer Cristal (late-release) Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (6/18/2018)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Michael Edwards
Decanter, Cristal 2008 (6/17/2018)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal, Champagne, France, White) Subscribe to see review text. | By John Gilman
View From the Cellar, Mar/Apr 2018, Issue #74, Champagne Louis Roederer The Most Dynamic and Forward-Thinking Grande Marque
(Louis Roederer Cristal Brut) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (8/27/2017)
(Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut Champagne White) Subscribe to see review text. | By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (7/10/2017)
(Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal, Sparkling, France) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Champagne: The 2017 Summer Preview (Jul 2017) (7/1/2017)
(Roederer Cristal Sparkling White) Subscribe to see review text. | By Brad Baker
Champagne Warrior, June 2014, Issue #18, Louis Roederer Raising the Bar
(Louis Roederer Liqueur Wine "Cristal Plus") Login and sign up and see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JamesSuckling.com and Decanter and JancisRobinson.com and Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy and View From the Cellar and Burghound and Champagne Warrior and JebDunnuck.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Louis Roederer Producer Website
U.S. Importer (Addt'l Info)Champagne Blend"Champagne blend" is a classic grape blend that typically includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier in any proportions.
However, this blend can also include Arbane, Fromenteau (Pinot Gris), Petit Meslier and/or Pinot Blanc as well.France Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)
Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings
2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.comChampagne Le Champagne (Le comité interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne) | Grandes Marques & Maisons de Champagne (Union des Maisons de Champagne)
France - When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of consistent quality and diversity. And while many of its Region, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne most obviously, produce wine as rare, as sought-after and nearly as expensive as gold, there are just as many obscurities and values to be had from little known appellations throughout the country. To learn everything there is to know about French wine would take a lifetime. To understand and appreciate French wine, one only has to begin tasting them. Click for a list of bestselling items from all of France.
Sub-Region:
Champagne - The French region of Champagne (including the cities of Rheims, Épernay, and Aÿ) was the first region in the world to make sparkling wine in any quantity. Today, the name of the region is synonymous with the finest of all sparkling wines, and wine-making traditions of Champagne have become role models for sparkling wine producers, worldwide. Surprisingly, the region of Champagne is now responsible for only one bottle in 12 of all sparkling wine produced. Styles of champagne range in sweetness ranging from an extra brut or brut 0, to the basic brut to demi sec to doux; some houses produce single vintage champagnes and others produce non-vintage (or incorporate wines/grapes of multiple vintages), often to preserve a specific taste; combinations of grape varietals; and colors, including a rosé. There are several sub-appellations, including the Valley of the Marnes river running from Épernay west, Massif de Saint-Thierry north and west of Rheims, Valley of the Ardre, the Mountains of Rheims (between Rheims and Épernay), Côte des Blancs, Côte de Sézanne, and Côte des Bar in the South. Champagne wine only uses three grape varietals (cépages): Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.ChampagneThe vineyards of Champagne on weinlagen-info |
|
