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  • Country ranking ?

    771
  • Producer ranking ?

    53
  • Decanting time

    30min
  • When to drink

    now to 2030
  • Food Pairing

    Chicken with Mediterranean Herbs

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CRISTAL 2006 was a very warm year, characterised by contrasting rainfall patterns. Following on from an unusually cold and rainy August, a warm, dry September hastened up the ripening process producing distinctive, rich, complex grapes.

ELABORATION

55% Pinot noir – 45% Chardonnay – 20% wines matured in wood (oak barrels) with weekly batonnage – no malolactic fermentation. Cristal is a blend of grand crus from the Reims mountain, the Marn...

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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 cuvée Cristal 2006 is a vintage of the champagne house Roederer, it surprises and seduces by its complex range of aromas. This champagne has a glistening robe with a slightly amber reflection and a muffled and regular effervescence which allows to foresee a beautiful ripeness. On the nose, the Cristal Roederer vintage of 2006 is intense and rich. One can detect notes of candied fruits (orange, lemon), white flowers (lily) and nuts slightly...

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Vintage 2006

A cold winter and springtime frosts laid the foundations for this vintage of abundant yields (12,997 kg/ha). Uneventful flowering was followed by exceptionally hot and sunny weather, which lasted until August. A dank August left producers fearful but fortunately warm, bright conditions in September redressed the balance. Harvest commenced on September 9th, producing grapes high in sugar level but notably low on acidity. The general health of t...

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Tasting note

color

Light, Straw and Bright

ending

Long, Smooth, Vibrant and Harsh

flavors

Citrus, Perfumed, Bread, Apricot, Honey and Tropical fruits

nose

Intense, Fresh, Ripe and Generous

recommend

Yes

taste

High in Acidity, Low alcohol content, Well-structured, Good texture, Perfectly balanced, Youthful, Medium-bodied, Elegant, Round, Full and Dry

Verdict

Sophisticated and Impressive

Written Notes

CRISTAL 2006 was a very warm year, characterised by contrasting rainfall patterns. Following on from an unusually cold and rainy August, a warm, dry September hastened up the ripening process producing distinctive, rich, complex grapes.  55% Pinot noir – 45% Chardonnay – 20% wines matured in wood (oak barrels) with weekly batonnage – no malolactic fermentation. Cristal is a blend of grand crus from the Reims mountain, the Marne Valley and Côte des Blancs. Matured for 5 years in cellars – 8 months’ resting after disgorging.

An vibrant, flourishing and stylishly creamy bouquet with white flowers, bread and candied fried fruits. The taste begins to open up and it is rich, powerful and has lots of volume. The mousse is very fine and almost imperceptible. A feather light powerhouse, with elegant and harmonious taste with piercing acidity and fine floral notes, clean and long. The wine is becoming enjoyable, but there is no real rush to uncork it.

  • 96p
Just fantastic from the start. A colossal power and beautiful rumbling pinot maturity. It's like chewing on the ripest grapes from Aÿ and Verzenay. At the same time ultra stylish down all the unmistakable cristal essence, peach and mango sweetness, pineapple coconut, vanilla and unreal sprightly acidity and citrus flowery. Many similarities with 2002, but with a clearer pinot touch.
  • 94p

A very good vintage for Cristal, but perhaps not one of its best. Linear and delicate as one would expect, combined with a steely, minerally core. There are subtle hints of citrus and white flowers all backed by refreshing acidity. Enjoyable now but best after a few more years in bottle.

 

  • 94p

60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Complex but very youthful nose. So tight and coiled. Still so tight it's almost metallic on the finish. What a shame it is that people are drinking this already. There is massive density here but not yet that much flavour and development. Lots going on in the finish. Very long. Wait!!!!

  • 93p
So elegant and subtle, touch of spice, spring flowers, stone fruit Mineral, restrain, elegant, nutty, such depth of aromas in very shy way, but so royal at the same time
  • 93p
A warm vintage with super ripe grapes. The champagnes are rich style wines. Over 60% Pinot Noir in blend. 1.5 years of ageing in bottle before disgorging.
  • 92p
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Information

Origin

Reims, Champagne

Vintage Quality

Above Average

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Below Average

Fake factory

None

Glass time

1h

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Inside Information

Decanter - Richard Juhlin - December 01, 2014

97 Points "Fantastic from the start. A colossal power of beautiful rumbling Pinot maturity. It's like chewing on the ripest grapes from Aÿ and Verzenay. At the same time ultra stylish: unmistakable Cristal essence of peach and mango sweetness, pineapple, coconut, vanilla, sprightly acidity and citrus blossom. Many similarities with 2002 but a clearer Pinot touch."

 

JamesSuckling.com - Nick Stock - July 03, 2014

97 Points "Deep pinot-driven presence is the first and lasting impression. Power with control. Superfine bead, bread and spiced biscuits, candied ripe red fruits and a sense of tight-knit complexity. Some grapefruit, lemon pith & gently flinty notes too - impressive nose. In the mouth it is rich, powerful, mouth-filling and flavoursome with a core of the same biscuity red fruit flavour, savoury nutty notes and a wrap of assertive, persistent acidity that holds rich powerful flavour deep and focused whilst maintaining a polished, gently creamy texture. Long chalky bread and biscuit finish. A superb pinot-driven vintage. "

 

vinousmedia.com - Antonio Galloni - May 23, 2014

97 Points "Broad, ample and resonant on the palate, the 2006 Cristal dazzles with its pure richness and volume. Readers need to give the 2006 another 4-5 years in bottle, perhaps longer, as the wine appears to be shutting down a bit. Tasted next to the 2002, today the 2006 is a bit less opulent but just as intense, layered and deep. This is a fabulous showing."

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