2002 louis roederer, cristal rose

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Why We're Buying

Almost 100 years after the debut of Cristal, Louis Roederer released Cristal Rosé. The effervescent pinot noir-chardonnay comes from old vines and calcareous soil, contributing to its depth and minerality. The rosé ages for six years, making its release a celebratory occasion. When Boogie Down Productions released By Any Means Necessary, the album didn’t specifically mention acquiring 2013 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé, but it might as well have. This magical Champagne is a must-have for any serious investors. It’s full-bodied and richly complex with impressive curves that disappear into the saporous finish. The flawless execution only reenforces why this tête de cuvée ranks in the pantheon of the greatest Champagnes. The 2013 Cristal Rosé benefited from a long, dry summer. The slow ripening process generated lush and balanced fruit with the perfect levels of chalk and finesse. Sculpted in the classic Roederer style, critics have praised its intensity and charm. William Kelley deemed it a “a candidate for wine-of-the-vintage honors,” while Antonio Galloni said, “I suspect the 2013 will join the ranks of the epic vintages.”

Critics Scores

100

Wine & Spirits

Levi Dalton at Convivio (NYC) compared this wine to the pianist who hits the right keys at the right moment. He's referring to the precision of the wine, which is astonishing. There is no singular flavor, but rather a resonant chord, a series of oppositions that create the invisible intensity of an electric current, the power of the charge balanced by the elegance of the flavor and the structure of the wine. You could describe it as light and brisk, or bold and intense; either way, you'll still be tasting it ten minutes later. As Peter Liem pointed out, "You could use any descriptor in the world and apply it to this wine. It is an Ur wine." The most exciting thing about it is the thought of what it will become.

Wine Enthusiast

The 2002 Brut Cristal Rose shows the classic Roederer introspectiveness that can sometimes make the wines hard to grasp when they are young. It, too, is a relatively lightly-colored rose. The bouquet is beautifully woven into a fabric of layered, ripe fruit. With some time in the glass, the wine’s textural beauty becomes more apparent, but this is a Champagne that needs bottle age. It should be spectacular in time. Cristal Rose is made with the same technique as the rose, which is to say the Pinot is cold-macerated on the skins for 6-7 days, but the percentage of oak is a touch higher. For Cristal Rose the Pinot is sourced from Ay and the percentage of Chardonnay (from Avize and Mesnil) is a touch higher than the Brut Rose at 40 of the blend. This is Lot L031784L100149, disgorged in April, 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022.

James Suckling

The sense of completeness here is stunning. This has very complex aromas of sous-bois, blood oranges and spicy, lightly toasty elements, as well as a wealth of dried roses, brown, woody spices, gunflint and pot-pourri. Expansive, playful palate with exotic pink grapefruit and a silky, soft and fleshy, supple edge. Almost airy, soft, delicate fruit. Full of happiness! Vibrant, succulent cherries to close. Holds super long. This really is in a great place. Original disgorgement in 2012.