2006 Louis Roederer "Cristal" Brut Champagne
97DC
97VN
96JS
95IWR
95JG
95RP
95WE
95WS
$349.99
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97
Decanter
Reviewed November 2017Fantastic from the start. A colossal power of beautiful rumbling Pinot maturity. It’s like chewing on the ripest grapes from Aÿ and Verzenay. At the same time ultra stylish: unmistakable Cristal essence of peach and mango sweetness, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, sprightly acidity and citrus blossom. Many similarities with 2002 but with a clearer Pinot touch. (RJ)
Professional Reviews
97
Vinous
The 2006 Cristal is a rich, explosive wine that captures all of the natural radiance of this warm year. Ample and full-bodied, the 2006 is one of the more extroverted recent Cristals. As such, it will drink well now, even though it has more than enough body to drink well for another 20 years or more. This shows real density and tons of character. It’s a big wine. “In retrospect, we might have preferred a lower dosage, but the wine was quite difficult to balance in blending, so we had to go for a higher dosage,” Lécaillon adds. Dosage is 9 grams per liter. Disgorged: 2014. (AG)
96
James Suckling
Deep maturing nose with plenty of ripe pear and apricot, plus a whiff of smoke. This is a big and powerful champagne with notes of spice and grapefruit alongside some red berry fruit from pinot noir. Long chalky finish that’s more vibrant than the first impression suggests.
95
Int'l Wine Review
The first known bottling of this cuvee was created in 1876 by Louis Roederer to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. While there is no known disgorgement date for this impressive release, this ethereal bottling is a perfect secret. The 2006 is a blend of estate-grown Pinot Noir (55%) and Chardonnay (45%) which was 20% fermented in oak with weekly lees stirring to give the wine richness, even though there is no malolactic fermentation. The dosage is between eight to ten grams per liter. The wine opens with brilliant aromas of pear, starfruit, mushroom and brioche which leap from the glass. On the palate there are flavors of red delicious apple, pear and starfruit with a striking effervescence followed by a long and lingering finish that lasts more than 30 seconds. Simply put, the 2006 is another magnificent Cristal which should age gracefully. (OB)
Notes
96 points Neal Martin for Vinous: "The bouquet is drop-dead gorgeous, lively and broad, and beautifully defined as always, offering scents of citrus fruit, toasted walnuts and a hint of brioche. The exquisitely balanced palate displays spine-tingling mineralité and real tension and grace. The long, quite deep finish makes me wonder whether this 2006 will meliorate with further bottle age. Should I care, when it is so delicious now? Just superb." (04/2019)
Details
| Origin | Champagne, France |
|---|---|
| Type/Varietal | Other White Wines |
| Alcohol Content | 12.5% |
| SKU | 1655650 |