Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Vinotheque (Gift Box) 1500ml

Cristal is famous the world over, with its own army of devotees. However, few are aware of its exceptional ability to age in bottle and the intelligence with which this fine wine is able to take advantage of the passing years. These two virtues, rare in the world of champagne, are the reason why the House of Louis Roederer ceremonially preserves some bottles of Cristal in its cellars, submitting them to the benevolent influence of time. Made ready for their ageing in an ideal environment, the bottles are then isolated and the wine will gently evolve towards a harmonious maturity, developing a more complex bouquet and evolved flavours.

Winemaker notes

Bright and clear with a golden yellow hue and delicate amber tints. Fine, delicate mousse forming tight bubbles in the glass. The bouquet is remarkably intense, lively, concentrated and complex. The nose opens with fruity aromas which is unusual for a 22-year-old wine: ripe pear and apple, apricot, zesty notes of candied lemon, yuzu and orange peel. After aeration the aromas evolve to hot stone, chalk, smoke, mocha, hazelnut and fresh pastries. On the palate the wine is concentrated with a rich, almost oily, texture that continues on to the mid-palate thanks to the wine’s chalky, saline freshness. The texture becomes more pronounced with a powdery minerality on the tongue. The finish is lively, saline and very long.

2002

James Suckling 99: An extraordinary champagne experience that you’ll never forget! Tons of white chocolate on the savory nose pulls you into this concentrated and chalky champagne with rich candied citrus and mirabelle fruit. So much oily umami complexity right through the huge breathtakingly vivid finish. Just 10% of each vintage of Cristal gets the extra years of aging for release as Vinotheque.

Vinous 98+: The 2002 Cristal Vinothèque offers a touch more precision and tension than the original release. Dried flowers, tangerine peel, spice, mint and orange peel all grace this exquisite, wonderfully vibrant Champagne. The 2002 opens beautifully with air, offering a compelling mix of 2002 rich fruit drenched in bright, chalky saline notes. The explosive finish is incredibly alluring. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: 2018.