- CRITICAL REVIEWS
- WINEMAKER NOTES
Robert Parker Wine Advocate
2000 Louis Roederer Cristal Vinotheque, Champagne, France
VINTAGE
2000 was a chaotic, difficult and very rainy year. A succession of storms were accompanied by destructive hailstorms, the worst of which was in the Montagne de Reims on 2 July. Summer saw oceanic weather conditions and gave rise to a very classic style of wine: smooth, lush, elegant and precise. These seductive and discreetly powerful wines show the beauty of the Chardonnay varietal at its finest.
TASTING NOTES
Warm yellow hue with a deep core. Beautifully formed threads of bright, lively and ultrafine bubbles. The nose offers up juicy, crunchy notes of yellow fruit, toasted hazelnuts, honey, almonds and nougat. The restraint and delicacy of its aromas prevail, this Cristal needs to be understood in order to fully appreciate its nuances. The texture caresses the palate in gentle waves. The bubbles blend harmoniously into the wine's fabric and discreetly complement its everlasting, chalky freshness. This is a wine that is both generous and ripe yet remarkably restrained. The extraordinary finish is characterised by a powdery, saline freshness which gives it a light, ethereal and silky structure. Perfection.
PRODUCTION
ORIGINS:
1/3 “La Rivière” vineyards
1/3 “La Montagne” vineyards
1/3 “La Côte” vineyards
MAIN CRUS:
Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle,
Ay, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Cramant
GRAPE VARIETIES:
58% Pinot noir
42% Chardonnay
WINE IN OAK: 24%
MALOLACTIC FERMENTATION: 0%
DOSAGE: 8g/l