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  • Country ranking ?

    957
  • Producer ranking ?

    74
  • Decanting time

    10min
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    Chorizo Crusted Scallops

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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

In 1876, a Roederer champagne made for Russia’s Tsar Alexander II became the world’s first luxury cuvée. But with the sudden collapse of the Russian market, the champagne house endured a long struggle on the verge of bankruptcy. Eventually, the family’s shrewd patriarchs managed to turn things around, and today, Roederer is the most solvent of Champagne’s houses; indeed, its future looks Cristal clear.
Roederer is one of the few top champagne...

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Vintage 1985

Severe winter temperatures and spring frosts did great damage, leaving many in the region unhopeful of a good year. The destruction was excessive especially in the northern Montagne de Reims, in the hillside vineyards west of Reims and in the Aube. The early summer weather did not raise the hopes, but finally fine September weather came to the rescue and yields ended up being better than feared (albeit tiny, 6,827 kg/ha) when picking commenced...

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Tasting note

color

Medium, Gold and Bright

ending

Long, Lingering and Round

flavors

Apricot, Waxy, Toasty, Smoky, Honey and Truffles

nose

Open, Complex, Generous and Opulent

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, Low alcohol content, Low tannin, Balanced, Complex, Multi-dimensional, Mature, Medium-bodied, Ripe, Fresh, Harmonious and Dry

Verdict

Intelligent and Impressive

Written Notes

Crystal-clear golden colour with medium depth. Perfectly integrated, miniscule bubbles Youthful nose of fresh herbs, ripe fruit aromas, baked apple, honey and brioche. The aromas are starting to develop towards tertiary. Very stylish palate with lean and long style. Vigorous yet smooth mousse. An excellent bottle of champagne that is still working its way to the peak.

  • 92p
This wine is now in a dormant elusive phase where the nose is slightly less luxuriant than in its youth. The 79 went through the same rest period at a corresponding age, then went on later to bloom in full splendor. The 1985 Cristal is otherwise just as delicious as it sounds—an aristocratic Champagne with a wonderfully long aftertaste of crème caramel.
  • 94p
a delicious bottle of bubbly with great bread and toast flavors, possessing that elegant richness that only Cristal can, finishing smoothly and finely. It was exquisite
  • 85p

The 1985 Cristal is powerful and resonant on the palate, with just the earliest hints of oxidative notes starting to appear. The 1985 may not have quite the layers, focus or pedigree of the very best years, but it more than makes up for that with its inviting, generous personality. There is so much to like, including the wine’s soft curves and racy feel. The 1985 is an especially opulent Cristal, with attractive smoky and torrefaction overtones, and exceptional balance. “In 1985, we had a severe frost that lowered yields dramatically,” Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon recounted. “It was a vintage to handle carefully. From what the old-timers told me, because I was not here, set was so bad that the percentage of stems relative to fruit was quite high. Our crew works hard to cut as close as possible, especially in challenging vintages. But I imagine some stems and underripe berries made it into the tanks, resulting in somewhat green, bitter flavors at pressing. In the end though, those qualities have been pretty good for aging. Ultimately, Champagne is a battle between ripeness and greenness. If you are too ripe, you have rot, and if you aren’t ripe enough, you are green. You need to find the optimal window for picking.”

  • 95p

Straw yellow. Nuts, spices, some lemons and flinty notes nose. Fresh acidity, fruity, some spices, anise, nuanced, some creaminess, long. Little bit dense and might not be a perfect bottle, lacks some of the purity somehow. 92

  • 92p

Bright, evolved yellow colour. Sound, reserved nose with stone fruits, apricot and mandarin peel, touch of candied wax. Dry, firm, broad, round, apricot palate with great concentration and intense texture. Lovely brioche flavours in long aftertaste. – JL – Aug 25, 2018

  • 94p
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Information

Origin

Reims, Champagne

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Below Average

Fake factory

None

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