Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne '14

What to expect - 100% Biodynamically farmed fruit - 60% Pinot noir and 40% Chardonnay - A wine to cellar and collect as this will need time to mellow Whilst we urge you to get your hands on this before our allocation sells out, we will say that "good things come to those who wait". Buy to cellar even if it is for a couple of years. Ideal drinking window, now to 2035. Summary of the wine: 60% Pinot noir, 40% Chardonnay; a pool of 50 hectares of vines averaging 42 years of age on the most chalky mid-slopes, yielding 50% less than the appellation; 100% biodynamic vineyards, 32% fermented in oak; No malolactic fermentation; 8g/L dosage; typically 150,000–300,000 bottles. 6 years on lees. About the house This house has serious pedigree and a long history of making outstanding wines. Louis Roederer is still family owned and run and has a significant land holding of over 230 hectares allowing them to supply 70% of their grape requirements with excellent fruit. We are impressed by Louis Roederer’s increasing commitment to exploring biodynamics, both with treatment of their vast vineyard holdings plus the recent acquisition of a 15 hectare biodynamic parcel from Leclerc Briant. A relatively small 3 million bottles per annum of production are exported, largely to the USA. Food Suggestion Take this prestige cuvée to another level and serve with caviar. Take the caviar straight from the back of the hand so that you can appreciate its beauty. Please ensure that the wine is served in an Emperor tulip or a white wine glass to allow the cuvée to show you its true potential. Reviews "The 2014 Cristal is another in a long line of gorgeous wines from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. A dazzling, vibrant Champagne, the 2014 impresses with a stunning combination of fruit density and linear energy that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of 2012 and 2008. At times, the bubbles feel totally wrapped up in waves of creamy, resonant fruit to the point the mousse is barely perceptible, especially with aeration. The flavors are bright and finely sculpted, leaning very much into the citrus, floral and mineral end of the spectrum. The blend is a classic: 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay taken from 39 of the 45 parcels that comprise the Cristal estate. The 2014 Cristal is a riveting Champagne. Don't miss it." 98 Points Antonio Galloni "Medium straw-yellow colour, with a super-complex bouquet that summons nougat, almond-iced pastries, peanut brittle and lemon juice. A hint of milk powder. The palate is searingly intense and powered by vivacious lemony acidity, while the creaminess of the mousse is exquisite. The finish is very long and refined, the texture creamy and seamless in its effortless flow. A wonderful wine, but the acidity is challenging solo and it really cries out for food, even something as simple as oysters. I'd give it more time to lose its austerity." 98 Points Huon Hooke "An enlightened expression from a season of extremes, this has intensity, ripeness and depth of fruit that is underpinned by chalk soil-derived structure and freshness. Complex nose with lemon and grapefruit aromas, as well as closed red apple, blood orange, light biscuit spices and toasted hazelnuts. Super fresh. The palate starts pithy and fleshy with pink grapefruit, blood orange, red apple, sliced strawberry and nectarine. Expansive and mouth-filling build that is driven by concentrated fruit, Then it tightens and turns to a more mineral edge, before smoothly honed phenolics finish it long. It is 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, 32% oak fermentation in those same proportions, no chaptalization, no malolactic and a dosage of 7g per liter. From organically farmed grapes. Very complex, it strikes a natural balance and is very drinkable already, though will develop well for more than a decade in the cellar." 97 Points James Suckling