Louis Roederer 2015 Cristal Brut

Crafted to perfection, Cristal 2015 epitomizes the harmonious blend of softness and concentration, showcasing a masterful maturity that sets it apart. This timeless champagne exudes a chalky temperament, a testament to the unique character bestowed by its soils, transcending the sunny nature of the vintage. The sensory journey begins with intense and delectable aromas, where hints of yellow fruit, toasted almonds, and wheat from the Chardonnay intertwine with the juicy red fruit notes of the Pinot Noir. The wine's structure then takes center stage, pulsating with vibratory intensity that seamlessly transforms into a gentle caress, unveiling a silky texture adorned with flavors of candied citrus and iodized spices. The chalky character of the vintage manifests in a bracing, vertical effervescence, marked by an insistent, precise, and finely honed freshness. The finish is a symphony of subtle oaky, sappy, and saline notes, creating the ultimate sensation of delicacy and concentration. Cristal 2015 stands as a paragon of supreme balance and measure, echoing the chalky essence of its soils and harboring enormous aging potential. This vintage is a perfect embodiment of Cristal, intricately woven with the essence of 2015, destined for greatness with the passage of time.

Robert Parker - 95+ Points

"If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985."

Antonio Galloni - 96 Points

"I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far - once as part of an extensive vertical I will be reporting on shortly, and then later in my office. Those tastings paint a portrait of a complex Champagne that is still finding its center. Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine’s fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest the 2015 has already started to shut down a bit, which is a shame, as it may be hard to read for some time to come. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022."