2013 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

James Suckling

Aromas of strawberry, iron, orange peel and brioche follow through to a full body with gorgeous fruit and sweet tannins that layer the wine. Strawberry-patisserie undertones. Rather juicy and chewy with very round, fine tannins. Savory, flavorful and lightly spicy. Caressing finish with lots of fruity flavor and dryness. Drink now or hold.

Jeb Dunnuck

If you're a Champagne lover and this doesn't do it for you, I don't know what will. A magical Champagne that's just about as good as it gets, the 2013 Cristal Rosé reveal a lighter salmon hue to go with a rich yet also subtle nose of orange blossom, white flowers, toasted brioche, and chalky minerality. It takes some coaxing but is incredibly complex aromatically and offers more spice, dried strawberry, and library book-like nuances as it sets in the glass. Richly textured on the palate, it's medium to full-bodied and has surprising opulence as well as a great mid-palate, all of which are balanced by a vibrant spine of acidity. It starts out seemingly soft and easygoing yet changes with air, and it possesses an incredible mix of suppleness, texture, and precision that is something to behold. It can be drunk today or cellared for 20 or 30 years, possibly even longer.

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

A candidate for wine-of-the-vintage honors in Champagne, Roederer's 2013 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers, red berries, stone fruit, freshly baked bread and tangerine oil. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, the vintage's bright girdling acids are amply cloaked in exuberant, expressive and notably concentrated fruit; so while this Cristal is as tensile and age-worthy as one would expect, it's also impressively fleshy and generous given the year. Concluding with an intensely sapid finish, the 2013 isn't as overtly structured as the muscular, tightly wound 2012: rather, it's the 2013's alliance of cut and flesh, precision and charm that's so compelling this year. This is another banner vintage for what I consider the reigning champion of the region's tête de cuvée bottlings, and it will be worth an effort to acquire.