Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2015

Steeped in history and recognized as one of Champagne’s most celebrated bottlings, Cristal reiterates its modern place in the world of fine wine with its most highly rated version ever from Wine Spectator. It’s a triumph from the challenging 2014 vintage, with chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon crediting the chalky soils for their ability to store water during spring’s dry period and drain it during summer’s rainy months. Harvested from up to 45 organically farmed plots owned by Louis Roederer’s Rouzaud family, this is a blend of 60 percent Pinot Noir and 40 percent Chardonnay, with 32 percent fermented in oak and no malolactic fermentation. The 2014 shows greater expression than usual on release, and its harmonious marriage of finesse and crystalline structure allows for aging as well as drinking now.

For the warm and dry vintage this has tremendous freshness and elegance. The complex nose of citrus blossom, mint, lemon and lime zest opens up slowly as this aerates in the glass. The wine’s ample structure is still quite firm, which is a vintage characteristic, the mousse very fine but also very lively for an eight-year-old champagne. Cristal fans will love this as it is, but a year or two more in the bottle will do a lot for the very long mineral finish of this youthful masterpiece. A cuvee of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, picked from all 45 Cristal vineyard plots. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink from release.