Cristal Champagne?

[tomstevenson]

Cristal is Louis Roederer's deluxe cuvee. It is one of the greatest Champagnes available, but the price is very high, so if you do not have an unlimited budget you would be better off buying several bottles of vintage Pol Roger instead. However, if your pocket is deep enough it is a tasting experience worth paying for.

In a past edition of my 'Champagne & Sparkling Wine Guide' I gave Louis Roederer 1993 Cristal Brut 95 points (and my 85 points is probably the equivalent of 90 points given be most US wine critics).

My published note for this wine:

Tasting this blind I had no idea what it was and would not have guessed Cristal because that wine seldom stands out when first released whereas this particular vintage was sensational. An amazing amalgam of concentration and finesse with an infinite finish, showing great potential complexity and even greater finesse. Stunning.
Drink Now-2020

I would just add that good cellarage is essential and that the clear bottle must be left in its yellow cellophane wrapping, since this protects the wine from UV radiation.

Tom