Wine Advisor
Louis Roederer, Cristal Brut 1999
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Description
Louis Reoderer’s most famous wine was created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. The emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the House’s best cuvée for him every year. He was particularly fond of the House’s wine. To distinguish this cuvée, this exceptional champagne came in a flat-bottomed, transparent lead-crystal bottle. The new brand was named after this precious material, which is particularly transparent and luminous.
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A pale lemon hue. A fine, neutral nose developing river stone scents with time, then some fresh green apple and citrus fruits all with outstanding definition. The palate is slightly lower in acidity than I was anticipating, nice fatness in the middle, a touch of viscosity with a more steely finish. It lacks the vibrancy and tension of the Cristal ’96, the finish stern and dry. A lovely champagne no doubt, but it somehow leaves me wanting more. Drink now-2020 Tasted November 2007.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at the IMW Louis Roederer tasting. Disgorged January 2006. Clear silvery hue. It has a slightly yeasty, hazelnut and roasted almond scented bouquet, well-defined, perhaps a little muted at the moment. With time, aromas of frangipane, woodland and spice emerge. The palate is relatively toasty on the entry compared to the 2002, light oxidative aromas, walnut and litchi, quite rounded and sensuous towards the finish, good length. A “wine-y” Cristal but very primal. Drink now-2017. Tasted December 2009.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted in Hong Kong. This is a delightful, if not profound Cristal. The nose is fragrant with similar traits as the bottle poured at the IMW tasting with touches of hazelnut and here, a little corn flour. It is very crisp on the entry with touches of spice, orange sorbet, butter toast and walnut with a harmonious finish that just needs a little more persistency. It remains very primal, so I would afford this at least couple of year’s maturation in bottle. Tasted November 2011.
Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani
One of the finest Champagnes I have ever brought to my lips, the 1999 Cristal bursts from the glass with fresh hazelnut and apple scents. Elegant, deep, and silky-textured, this medium to full-bodied beauty is immensely concentrated, pure, packed with apple flavors, and astoundingly long in the finish. Louis Roederer does not display a disgorgement date or consumer friendly lot number on its non-vintage Brut. This is regrettable as it has consistently been one of the finer bottlings in this category. Importer: Maison Marques & Domaines USA Inc., Oakland, CA; tel. (510) 286-2000.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Light gold. Vibrant, tangy aromas of apple, pear, white peach and minerals. Wound tight right now, only reluctantly offering up flavors of fresh orchard fruits, herbs and pepper. Finishes zesty and long. Seems less deep than the 1997 bottling; is this just in a sullen, youthful stage?
About the Producer
When he inherited the Champagne House in 1833, the aesthete and entrepreneur Louis Roederer took a visionary approach to enriching his vines, aiming to master every stage of the wine’s creation. He forged the wine’s unique style, character, and taste. In the mid-nineteenth century, Louis Roederer acquired some of Champagne’s grand cru vineyards—an approach that contrasted sharply with contemporary practices.. While other Houses bought their grapes, Louis Roederer nurtured his vineyards, familiarized himself with the specific characteristics of each parcel, and methodically acquired the finest land. Louis Roederer’s guiding principle was that all great wine depends on the quality of the soil, a passion for tradition, and an astute vision of the future; the fame and reputation of the House of Louis Roederer was firmly established. His heir, Louis Roederer II was equally enlightened and adopted his father’s conscientious approach to the production of champagne, patrimonial estate management, and instinctive audacity.
1989(2)1996(1)1997(1)
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