2002 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne

SKU #1037666

98 points Wine Enthusiast: "This is an exceptional wine, as is the vintage. The fruits - grapefruit, crisp red apple - balance with a fine yeasty character. There is a great depth of flavor, the fruits going in a pure line of freshness. The one problem is that it is much too young, the result of the deamnd from the market for the next vintage. Age this wine for at least four years." (12/08) 96 points and three stars from the Connoissuers' Guide to California Wine: "Its Pinot Noir portion notwithstanding, this wine has a crisp, chalky, lightly citrusy, lightly toasty aroma that is more than a little bit suggestive of an elegant Blanc de Blancs. And perhaps that is its secret. It is an incredibly refined yet deep wine whose suggestions of roasted soy and caramel are kept as complex nuances within a well-filled, refreshing, crisp set of flavors and a graceful, lengthy aftertaste. It occupies a comfortable middle ground between the quiet refinement of Dom Perignon and the bold approaches of the top Bollinger and Krug wines." (12/08) 95 points Wine & Spirits: "At first this wine seems more frivolous than serious; it's lacey and polished, a flash of spice and whipped cream-except for the tension in the finish that lasts, more powerful with each sip but no less refined. It expands on redder tones of pinot noir, with a force and stamina that defines the 2002 vintage. This should be at its best with around 15 or 20 years in the cellar."

Price: $179.00

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By: Gary Westby |  K&L Staff Member  |  Review Date: 5/7/2009  | Send Email
This Champagne comes entirely from estate Grand and Premier Cru vineyards and is one of the finest young Cristals I have tasted. It is very, very dry and tight, with the kind of precision and minerality that one would only expect from a much smaller production Champagne.

Additional Information:

Varietal:

Other White Wines

- Here is a list of our bestselling Other White Wines.
Country:

France

- When it comes to wine, France stands alone. No other country can beat it in terms of 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 (comprised of the towns of Rheims, Epernay, and Ay) 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 winemaking 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 from the basic brut (often blends of several vintages), single vintage champagnes, and rose. View our bestselling Champagne.
Alcohol Content (%): 12