Investment analysis: Roederer’s jewel, Cristal

What lies behind Cristal's status as one of the most sought-after and collectible Champagnes? Giles Fallowfield explains how it's made and tastes eight recent vintages...

Cristal 2006-1979: a mini vertical

Louis Roederer, Cristal 2006

17/20pts (90/100pts)

Intensely fresh, youthful, very lively with a pure chalky mineral note and grapefruit lifted acidity, quite linear.

Price: £118-£145 Champagne Direct, Harrods, James Nicholson, Justerini & Brooks, Latimer Vintners, Nickolls & Perks, The Whisky Exchange, Woodwinters

Drink 2018-2035

Alc 12.5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 2005

17.75/20pts (92/100pts)

More open than the 2005 with floral perfumed notes, at once both delicate and concentrated with a touch of exotic fruit.

Price: £145-£149 Champagne Direct, James Nicholson, Justerini & Brooks, Majestic, Nickolls & Perks, The Whisky Exchange, Roberson, Winedirect

Drink 2017-2030

Alc 12.5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 2004

18.25/20pts (94/100pts)

Good attack with ripe, vivid fruit character, good intensity of flavour

Price: POA Hedonism

Drink 2016-2035

Alc 12.5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 2002

19/20pts (96/100pts)

Lively and fresh, but more open immediately showing greater richness, generosity and fruit intensity. Dense and concentrated with lovely balance and a long finish. Will age well.

Price: £173-£421 (magnum) Berry Bros & Rudd, Harrods, Hedonism, Justerini & Brooks, Latimer Vintners, Nickolls & Perks

Drink 2016 2045

Alc 12.5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 1999

18.5/20pts (95/100pts)

Opens with youthful intensity, with citrus and red berry fruit followed by secondary toasty notes plus a hint of chocolate. Attractive, dense, fleshy palate. Powerful but silky, showing the ripeness of a warm mature vintage but with freshness on the finish

Price: £1,900 (double magnum) Bordeaux Index, Roberson

Drink 2014-2025

Alc 12.5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 1995

19.5/20pts (98/100pts)

The star of the tasting boasts great complexity as a result of the perfect combination of long lees and post-disgorgement ageing. Gorgeous ripe fruit flavours with a spicy element mid-palate plus importantly, great textural richness and mouthfeel. Very long, harmonious and complex finish.

Price: POA Harrods

Drink 2014-2020

Alc 12 5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 1990

18.25/20pts (94/100pts)

Initially remarkably fresh, this is a powerful, vinous Champagne that opens up in the glass to show a luscious, almost unctuous richness. As Lécaillon observes, it’s a wine still with a long future ahead of it.

Price: £350 Bordeaux Index, Nicholls & Perks

Drink 2014-2030

Alc 12 5%

Louis Roederer, Cristal 1979

18/20pts (93/100pts)

Golden coloured, this fully mature rich old Champagne is toasty and honeyed with a very ripe fruit element (mango and apricot) and has reached what Lecaillon describes as the start of the noble oxidative world with dry brown notes of tobacco. There’s mocha and chocolate there too.

Price: £500 Bordeaux Index

Drink 2014-2030

Alc 12.5%

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