Wijnen

IN DE PERS

95+ Stephan Reinhardt – The Wine Advocate (Juni 2018) – robertparker.com – The 2009 Cristal is a blend of Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Vallée de la Marne and the Côte des Blancs (a total of 33-34 parcels of which 40% were farmed biodynamically). Like the 2008 Cristal, the 2009 also blends 60% Pinot Noir with 40% Chardonnay, and 16% of the wine was vinified in oak casks. No malolactic fermentation was done. The 2009 was aged for six years in the cellars and was disgorged in March 2016 with a dosage of eight grams per liter. Released two years ago, the 2009 is just starting another, more "Burgundian" life. Tasted in May 2018, the bouquet was pretty reductive, with flinty and toasty/nutty notes and some potted ginger flavors. Full-bodied, round and rich on the palate, this is a stunningly pure, fresh and salty 2009 that is driven by its chalky terroir and the lingering salinity. Is it really 2009? It is ripe, yes, but driven by the strength of chalk. The finish is pure, clean, fresh, very complex and long yet delicate and endlessly salty. However, two years after disgorgement, the 2009 Cristal is closing down and in a pretty reductive stage right now. Tasted May 2018. Drink 2023-2040.

97 Jeb Dunnuck - jebdunnuck.com - The 2009 Cristal is a beauty, with incredible richness as well as elegance, which are the hallmarks of this cuvée.

96 Antonio Galloni – vinous.com (Juli 2017)
Rich, creamy and radiant, the 2009 Cristal captures all of the natural generosity of the vintage while also retaining a good bit of freshness and aromatic intensity. Immediate and totally sensual in its allure, the 2009 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All things considered, at this stage, the 2009 comes across as relatively restrained for a wine from a warm year. Drink 2019-2049.

94-96 Antonio Galloni – The Wine Advocate (September 2010) – robertparker.com – The 2009 Cristal literally shimmers on the palate, showing great depth and purity in its sumptuous layers of fruit. It is a magnificent wine endowed with superb length and exceptional overall balance. The 2009 Cristal is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The percentage of wine aged in oak is 15%, which is down slightly from previous vintages. Note: This was a pre-release tasting just before the wine was bottled.

Louis Roederer

Louis Roederer is het meest gereputeerd, onafhankelijk en familiaal Champagnehuis. Sinds 1776 staat het huis synoniem voor de allerfijnste Champagne, Louis Roederer erfde het huis in 1833 en gaf het zijn naam. Het huis overleefde zowel de Grote Depressie als Wereldoorlog II en werd leverancier van menig koningshuis. Naast het legendarische Cristal lanceerden ze in 1974 Cristal Rosé en in 2014 een “(2006) Brut Nature” naar een ontwerp van designer Philippe Starck. In 2021 werd Collection geïntroduceerd als een "multi-vintage bland" ter vervanging van Brut Premier. Met een ruim patrimonium van 240 hectare Grand Cru en Premier Cru, kan Roederer zelfstandig voorzien in 70% van zijn noden. Geen enkel ander Champagnehuis kan dit zeggen. In 2002 zetten ze als eerste "Grande Marque" de stap naar biodynamie.
Roederer is verder ook eigenaar van Roederer Estate en Scharffenberger Cellars in Anderson Valley, Ramos Pinto in de Douro, Châteaux de Pez en Haut Beauséjour in Saint Estèphe, Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac, Domaine Ott in Provence alsook Champagne Deutz.
De familiale leiding is vandaag in handen van Frédéric Rouzaud, de zevende generatie. De vorige “PDG”, Jean-Claude Rouzaud, is een ervaren duiker. Hij was betrokken bij de vondst van het wrak van het vliegtuig van Alexandre de Saint Exupéry nabij Marseille, en deze van de buste van Keizerin Sabine, de echtgenote van Keizer Adrianus, die nu is tentoongesteld in het Louvre.