Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé Vinotheque (Giftbox)

2002: Lovely, slightly coppery, shimmering rose petal hue. An even flow of ultra-fine bubbles. The bouquet is bursting with freshness! We have an astonishing impression of a sea breeze wafting in delicately concentrated fragrances of zesty red and citrus fruits. After a few moments, all the complexity of the great Ay Pinot noirs is revealed to us: petals, peonies, cocoa beans, concentrated red fruit liqueur (raspberry), smoky notes, gingerbread, praline and cedar... accompanied by a few scents of undergrowth. Dynamic, concentrated and fresh on the palate. We still have that predominant freshness, but this time it's provided by the red fruit (zesty pomegranate). Then come the substance and the bubbles, tactile, delicately silky and bewitching, gradually revealing the flavoursome length typical of Cristal rosé. We have a veritable sensation of great lusciousness and vitality underpinned by a sweet/ saline/powdery finish.

Wine Advocate 100: The 2002 Cristal Rosé has always been suspected to become a legend one day. Now, nine years later, the onion-colored wine has arrived in the Olympus of the finest Champagnes. Clear, matured and vinous on the intense and complex yet very delicate nose, this is a lush, succulent, perfectly round and intense 2002 that equilibrates its generosity and texture with great elegance and spellbinding balance. Stunningly, this seamless, charmingly seductive and voluptuous character is combined with great purity and harmony, especially in the finish that is not just round and caressing but also fresh, piquant and stimulatingly salty. Is there anything more we could expect from a Rosé Champagne? Even if you served me the wine in a black glass, it would still be a gorgeous, beautiful wine. Yes, it's wine rather than anything else, and its bubbly vinosity makes me desperate for more. If I just could, I would marry the 2002 Cristal Rosé straightaway. The cuvée reflects a great continental vintage as well as the stupendous terroirs of Aÿ (Pinot Noir: 60%), Avize and Mesnil (Chardonnay: 40%).

James Suckling 100: The best way I can covey what it feels like to experience this truly extraordinary rosé champagne is to say that it tastes like a mature vintage Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru - a red Burgundy! - with very fine bubbles and an acidity that gives it a weightless delicacy, it’s impossible to resist. After a bit of aeration there’s also a note of teriyaki sauce which makes this even more special. Tasted from Jeroboam at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink or hold.

Vinous 98: As hard as it may seem to believe, the 2002 Cristal Rosé (Re-Release) is even better than the Blanc. Utterly explosive in the glass, with soaring aromatics and tremendous palate presence, the 2002 dazzles from the very first taste. With time in the glass the 2002 grows effortlessly, showing myriad shades of nuance with each successive taste. I am reminded of the vertical I did of Cristal Rosé here a few years ago. Yes, the Rosé is expensive and rare. But it also delivers the goods. And then some.

Wine Enthusiast 96: Showing its age well, this wine offers a mature toastiness balanced by rich red fruit. The acidity is well integrated, making this impressive wine ready to drink now.

Falstaff 98: Medium reddish copper gold, brass reflections, brighter rim. Delicate, persistent mousse. Multifaceted but subtle bouquet with aspects of pomegranate, raspberry pulp, fresh yellow plums, some blossom honey and candied mandarin zest. Complex and very purist on the palate, a hint of yellow apple, finely structured, fine fruit expression, complex, a hint of cherries, appears very youthful after twenty years, silky, salty and fresh, an elegant style, has length, mineral intensity. Has reached perfect maturity.