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  • Country ranking ?

    799
  • Producer ranking ?

    57
  • Decanting time

    10min
  • When to drink

    Now
  • Food Pairing

    Smoked Salmon Mousse in a Phyllo Cup

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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

Louis Roederer II, his son, receives the credit for developing Cristal. The Russian Tsar was absolutely taken with Roederer champagne: in 1873, some 666,386 bottles, which amounted to approximately 27% of its entire production, were delivered to the court of Alexander II. In order to formalise Roederer’s status as official purveyor to the Imperial Court of Russia, Alexander II commissioned Louis Roederer to produce a very sweet, prestige blend...

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Average Bottle Price

2015 2012 2010 2005 2000
1 456€ +13.8% 1 279€ +9.8% 1 165€ +51.5% 769€ +288.4% 198€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Latest Pro-tasting notes

18 tasting notes

Tasting note

color

Full

ending

Medium and Spicy

flavors

Toasty and Honey

nose

Intense and Refined

recommend

Yes

taste

Well-structured, Vigor and Elegant

Written Notes

The year was characterized by uneven weather conditions throughout the growing season. Storms in late July and a disastrous hail in August limited the yield. Continuous hot weather in September further contributed to the tiny average crop of 5 100 kg/ha. But in most cases the quality was exceptionally high despite some wines that suffered from medium-low acidity. There is nothing wrong with Cristal’s acidity, however. Developed deep golden colour and lively small-sized bubbles in the glass. The nose is intensely fruity and impeccably stylish: toast, honey, apple and caramelized sugar and some spiciness. Full mouth fell with smooth silky texture and lively elegant mousse. Great example of Cristal that is at its peak, but will keep there for at least five more years.

  • 94p
Normally the '71s are super-elegant but slightly thin. Here the elegance is complete, but the body is well built and the richness of delicious nut-toffee and vanilla notes is effusive. A fantastic wine that is among the most voluptuous one can drink.
  • 96p
There was one more magnum left, a 1971 Cristal, and it was a spectacular one. ‘Really fresh’ came from Slover, and ‘deep and thick’ from Big Boy. It was incredibly rich with a light saber of a finish, zippy and with orange marmalade and corn flavors. Its finish was extended and extensive with a super Sprite bite. Big Boy also noted ‘burnt orange,’ and there were toffee traces on its finish.
  • 97p
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Information

Origin

Reims, Champagne

Vintage Quality

Excellent

Value For Money

Good

Investment potential

Below Average

Fake factory

None

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Vintage

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