2015 Louis Roederer

Cristal Millesime Brut

Chardonnay - Pinot Noir

France / Champagne

$375
RP 95
V 96
Size:
Quantity:

Availability: 12

2015 Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne, France 

Product information

Overview
Forged by a chalky soil unlike any other and honed by time, Cristal is Louis Roederer’s flagship champagne. Created in 1876 at the special request of Tsar Alexander II, this exceptional champagne is sourced from 45 plots located in seven Grands Crus vineyards spanning the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs. It is only produced in years when the grapes have reached perfect maturity.
This bright, powdery and chalky champagne is the product of time and the fruit of a haute couture artisanal viticulture in which eco-friendly practices, biodynamic composts and respect for living organisms are the only rules. Cristal is a drinking experience unlike any other. It is crafted in a manner that will allow it to reveal itself very gradually over time, growing ever more glorious with every passing year, gaining in depth, finesse and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking
Cristal 2015 is composed of grapes sourced from 45 "lieux-dits" in Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Ay, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Cramant. 25% of the wines are vinified in oak. No malolactic fermentation. The dosage is 7 g/L. 2015 Louis Roederer

Tasting Notes
Deep yellow hue with a lustrous sheen. Ultra-fine, dynamic bubbles. Intense, concentrated bouquet of yellow fruit (white peach, mirabelle plum) combined with a delicious concentrated toastiness in the form of roasted hazelnut and almond aromas. Perfect, seamless and complex marriage of the almond, wheat and sweet pollen notes from the Chardonnay with the juicy red fruit of the Pinot noir. Concentrated, energetic and vibrant on the palate, starting out as a silky, almost oily, caress, with soft flavors of candied citrus and iodised spices. Then the powdery texture becomes tauter and the pure, precise and chiselled freshness crescendos. The salivating finish is underpinned by slightly oaky, sappy and saline notes that create a simultaneous sensation of delicacy and concentration!

Harvest Notes
An extraordinary vintage which is also the year in which the Champagne region was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! 2015 followed the continental trend of that decade: a mild, wet winter and a hot, dry summer. The summer, hot and sunny, brought record-breaking temperatures and water stress. The second half of August brought some very welcome rain, giving the vines some much needed relief. Thanks to this fresh finish, the vines produced juicy, ripe and concentrated grapes. Our ambition for this vintage? To capture the concentration which is the hallmark of this spectacular vintage!

TECHNICAL  INFORMATION
Varietals: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

RP 95

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 95+). If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985. Reviewed by William Kelley, Issue date: March 2023. Drinking window: 2027 - 2050.
V 96

Vinous

I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far- once as part of an extensive vertical I will be reporting on shortly, and then later in my office. Those tastings paint a portrait of a complex Champagne that is still finding its center. Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine's fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest the 2015 has already started to shut down a bit, which is a shame, as it may be hard to read for some time to come. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. This is a compelling set of new releases from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon. The 2015 Cristal is one of the more intriguing Champagnes in what has turned out to be a tricky vintage overall for a region that is struggling to adapt to the new reality of climate change and its impact on achieving phenolic maturity in the field. "We strive to reach the classic measurement of 100 days between flowering and harvest, and that requires waiting to pick," Lecaillon explains. "At the same time, acidity does not really exist anymore in Champagne, so we have to find a way to reinvent it," he adds, a bit ironically. The 2015 is an unusual Cristal in that it includes fruit from all 45 parcels at the domaine, which has not happened since 2002. Pinots from Verzy and Verzenay, north-facing sites in the Montagne de Reims, featured quite a bit, adding energy to the blend. As always, there is no malolactic fermentation. About 25-30% of the lots were fermented in oak. In warmer vintages, Lecaillon bumps up the wood a bit to add phenolic intensity, which he describes as "stretching out the finish" and adding freshness. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: March 2023. Drinking window: 2025 - 2040.

Domestic Shipping

We currently ship to all U.S. states where the shipment of alcohol is legally permitted. Orders are fulfilled via UPS.

Orders placed Monday through Thursday before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time typically ship the same day. Orders placed after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday through Sunday will ship the following Monday.

Same-day delivery may be available within the Los Angeles Metro area if placed before noon. Please contact us at (626) 714-7006 to arrange expedited local service.

Packaging & Warm Weather Shipping

To protect wine quality, all orders are packed in EPS foam shippers with gel packs when necessary. During warmer months, we recommend selecting Next Day Air service. If Ground shipping is selected during high temperatures, a signed waiver may be required to release us from liability due to heat exposure.

For OWC (Original Wooden Case) orders, bottles are removed and shipped in foam for safety. The wooden case ships separately via Ground unless otherwise requested.

Weather Holds & Free Storage

In periods of extreme weather, we reserve the right to delay shipment until safe conditions return. If you request immediate shipment during such periods, you must confirm in writing and acknowledge that you waive any condition guarantees.

We also offer complimentary temperature-controlled storage for up to 6 months from the date of purchase. Select the “Hold for Weather” option at checkout and we will coordinate shipping at a later date.

Insurance

We provide free shipping insurance for loss or visible damage during transit, per carrier terms and conditions.

Adult Signature Required

All shipments of alcohol require an adult signature (21+) upon delivery. Carriers will not release packages without adult authorization. Additional charges may apply for re-delivery, redirection, or failed delivery attempts.

Shipping Address Accuracy

Orders are shipped to the exact shipping address provided at checkout. Angry Wine Merchant is not responsible for errors or omissions in the address submitted by the customer. If a package is delayed, returned, or misdelivered due to incorrect shipping details, the customer assumes full responsibility. Additional shipping fees may apply if re-shipment is required. By placing an order, you confirm that the shipping address entered is correct and agree to these terms.

States We Ship To

We ship to the following U.S. states:

Alabama (AL), Alaska (AK), Arizona (AZ), Arkansas (AR), California (CA), Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), Delaware (DE), Florida (FL), Georgia (GA), Hawaii (HI), Idaho (ID), Illinois (IL), Indiana (IN), Iowa (IA), Kansas (KS), Kentucky (KY), Louisiana (LA), Maine (ME), Maryland (MD), Massachusetts (MA), Michigan (MI), Minnesota (MN), Mississippi (MS), Missouri (MO), Montana (MT), Nebraska (NE), Nevada (NV), New Hampshire (NH), New Jersey (NJ), New Mexico (NM), New York (NY), North Carolina (NC), Ohio (OH), Oklahoma (OK), Oregon (OR), Pennsylvania (PA), Rhode Island (RI), South Carolina (SC), South Dakota (SD), Tennessee (TN), Texas (TX), Vermont (VT), Virginia (VA), Washington (WA), West Virginia (WV), Wisconsin (WI), Wyoming (WY)

*******************************

International Shipping

We do offer international shipping where legally allowed. For details, click here or contact us directly.

  • CRITICAL REVIEWS
  • WINEMAKER NOTES
RP 95

Robert Parker Wine Advocate

(Rating 95+). If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985. Reviewed by William Kelley, Issue date: March 2023. Drinking window: 2027 - 2050.
V 96

Vinous

I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far- once as part of an extensive vertical I will be reporting on shortly, and then later in my office. Those tastings paint a portrait of a complex Champagne that is still finding its center. Tasted at the maison, the 2015 is rich, dense and explosive, with tremendous textural intensity and also a good bit of energy to back it up. Citrus confit, spice, ginger, chalk and dried flowers abound in a Champagne endowed with tremendous aromatic presence in a style that offers notable richness, but lighter than vintages such as 2012. There is a bit of the savoriness that is such a signature of the year, but it is nicely integrated in the wine's fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest the 2015 has already started to shut down a bit, which is a shame, as it may be hard to read for some time to come. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. This is a compelling set of new releases from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon. The 2015 Cristal is one of the more intriguing Champagnes in what has turned out to be a tricky vintage overall for a region that is struggling to adapt to the new reality of climate change and its impact on achieving phenolic maturity in the field. "We strive to reach the classic measurement of 100 days between flowering and harvest, and that requires waiting to pick," Lecaillon explains. "At the same time, acidity does not really exist anymore in Champagne, so we have to find a way to reinvent it," he adds, a bit ironically. The 2015 is an unusual Cristal in that it includes fruit from all 45 parcels at the domaine, which has not happened since 2002. Pinots from Verzy and Verzenay, north-facing sites in the Montagne de Reims, featured quite a bit, adding energy to the blend. As always, there is no malolactic fermentation. About 25-30% of the lots were fermented in oak. In warmer vintages, Lecaillon bumps up the wood a bit to add phenolic intensity, which he describes as "stretching out the finish" and adding freshness. Reviewed by Antonio Galloni, Issue date: March 2023. Drinking window: 2025 - 2040.

2015 Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne, France 

Product information

Overview
Forged by a chalky soil unlike any other and honed by time, Cristal is Louis Roederer’s flagship champagne. Created in 1876 at the special request of Tsar Alexander II, this exceptional champagne is sourced from 45 plots located in seven Grands Crus vineyards spanning the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs. It is only produced in years when the grapes have reached perfect maturity.
This bright, powdery and chalky champagne is the product of time and the fruit of a haute couture artisanal viticulture in which eco-friendly practices, biodynamic composts and respect for living organisms are the only rules. Cristal is a drinking experience unlike any other. It is crafted in a manner that will allow it to reveal itself very gradually over time, growing ever more glorious with every passing year, gaining in depth, finesse and aromatic complexity.

Winemaking
Cristal 2015 is composed of grapes sourced from 45 "lieux-dits" in Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Ay, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Cramant. 25% of the wines are vinified in oak. No malolactic fermentation. The dosage is 7 g/L. 2015 Louis Roederer

Tasting Notes
Deep yellow hue with a lustrous sheen. Ultra-fine, dynamic bubbles. Intense, concentrated bouquet of yellow fruit (white peach, mirabelle plum) combined with a delicious concentrated toastiness in the form of roasted hazelnut and almond aromas. Perfect, seamless and complex marriage of the almond, wheat and sweet pollen notes from the Chardonnay with the juicy red fruit of the Pinot noir. Concentrated, energetic and vibrant on the palate, starting out as a silky, almost oily, caress, with soft flavors of candied citrus and iodised spices. Then the powdery texture becomes tauter and the pure, precise and chiselled freshness crescendos. The salivating finish is underpinned by slightly oaky, sappy and saline notes that create a simultaneous sensation of delicacy and concentration!

Harvest Notes
An extraordinary vintage which is also the year in which the Champagne region was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site! 2015 followed the continental trend of that decade: a mild, wet winter and a hot, dry summer. The summer, hot and sunny, brought record-breaking temperatures and water stress. The second half of August brought some very welcome rain, giving the vines some much needed relief. Thanks to this fresh finish, the vines produced juicy, ripe and concentrated grapes. Our ambition for this vintage? To capture the concentration which is the hallmark of this spectacular vintage!

TECHNICAL  INFORMATION
Varietals: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay

}, "review": { "@type": "Review", "reviewRating": { "@type": "Rating", "ratingValue": "95", "bestRating": "100" }, "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "95" }, "reviewBody": "(Rating 95+). If the 2014 vintage was especially open and demonstrative, the 2015 Cristal is going to require more patience. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of citrus oil, crisp stone fruits, white flowers, crushed mint and subtle hints of buttery pastry, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a deep, concentrated and rather introverted core of fruit framed by chalky extract and animated by a pretty pinpoint mousse. This is a serious, vinous Champagne that has considerable substance to age and may well evolve along the lines of the lovely 1985. Reviewed by William Kelley, Issue date: March 2023. Drinking window: 2027 - 2050." }, "aggregateRating": { "@type": "AggregateRating", "ratingValue": "95", "reviewCount": "1", "bestRating": "100" } }

You may also like

Recently viewed