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  • Country ranking ?

    684
  • Producer ranking ?

    43
  • Decanting time

    none
  • When to drink

    now to 2025
  • Food Pairing

    Creamy Duck Pâté

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The Story

In 1876 when Tsar Alexander II requested that a special cuvée be created for his court Roederer duly obliged, creating what many regard to be the first prestige cuvée. 

As the political situation in Russia was somewhat unstable, Tsar Alexander feared assassination. He ordered that Champagne bottles be made of clear glass, so that he could see the bubbles and to prevent anyone from hiding a bomb within, as could easily happen with a typical ...

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Wine Information

The 1970s were a turning point of sorts for Roederer and Cristal. Camille Olry-Roederer’s grandson Jean-Claude Rouzaud joined the house and gradually took the helm. It was a rough start, as TCA, a chemical compound that causes cork taint, infested the Roederer cellars. The young man faced an enormous undertaking. A huge volume of wine had to be taken off the market and disposed of, and the entire production facility had to be sterilised and re...

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Tasting note

color

Medium, Gold and Bright

ending

Long, Lingering and Spicy

flavors

Apricot, Waxy, Nutty, Dried-fruit, Toasty and Honey

nose

Intense, Refined, Charming and Ripe

recommend

Yes

taste

High in Acidity, Balanced, Concentrated, Well-structured, Developing, Medium-bodied, Elegant, Firm, Focused and Dry

Verdict

Fine and Transparent

Written Notes

Yet another example of the greatness of Cristal. Attractive golden colour. Steady stream of tiny slow bubbles. Ripe and mature delightful nose. Layered and charming aromas of honey, toast, rosemary, and caramel. Sheer perfection in the glass with a soft mousse refreshing the rich mouthful.

Wonderful acidic backbone with real grip. Enticing flavours of ginger, cinnamon and chicken tikka. Seamless, chewy wine that invites you to taste it and to keep on sipping it.

  • 96p
This is in fact more developed than the '66, which this wine otherwise so resembles. The color, mousse, and the explosive nose are perfect. The flavor is tremendously rich and fruity, with a luxurious, fat finish.
  • 96p
Cristal 1969 / The second bubbly in this flight of three had a sweet and toasty nose that had this earthy streak that was more root vegetable. The nose had some woodsy and funky edges, but still possessed positive geyser, game and sunny yellow fruits. The palate was wild and woolly, sweet and buttery, gritty and exotic. Jerry admired its ‘jungle flowers’ and then made one of the most interesting and astute wine comments I have ever heard, ‘You can feel the humidity in the wine.’ It was so true, this bottle of 1969 Cristal really gave off this humid impression. Jef picked up on ‘coffee-coated licorice.’ Jerry added, ‘cat pee,’ and I a touch of cigar. Rob found it ‘kinky’ and observed ‘anise.’ I thought that this bottle was either very slightly corked or affected somehow, as I have had near-perfect bottles of this bring me to my knees, and Rob felt the same. It was still decadent and very, very drinkable
  • 95p
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Information

Origin

Reims, Champagne

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Average

Fake factory

Be Cautious

Other wines from this producer

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Carte Blanche Demi-Sec

Carte Blanche Sec

Collection 241

Collection 242

Collection 243

Collection 244

Coteaux Champenois Le Mesnil-sur-Oger Hommage à Camille

Cristal Rosé

Cristal Rosé Vinothèque

Cristal Vinothèque

Rosé Brut

Starck Brut Nature Rosé

Vintage

Vintage Blanc de Blancs

Vintage Rosé

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