2002 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé Vinothèque
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Tasting notes
This was disgorged in 2019, spending 11 years on lees sur latte, and then another five sur pointe, followed by an additional four years’ post-disgorgement ageing prior to release. This wine is so tightly coiled, a wine not yet revealing everything it has to offer – although you can see the incredible structure. It’s so vibrant, with energy and a lushness as it drives toward a seemingly never-ending finish. It’s gorgeous, layered with mandarin, grapefruit pith, chalky minerality and smoked salt, lingering on the soft, saline tail of the mouthwatering finish. Dosage 8g/l, tasted from magnum.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Disgorged in 2019 using Lécaillon's system of 'dynamic riddling' which he claims is unique. I think he said it involved storing the bottles in wooden crates and riddling every five years, but this was at the end of a long lunch after an even longer (Wine Society) tasting. For their Vinothèque releases they don't want any notes of oxidation and they measure the amino acids every year. Magnum. Extraordinarily tight and fresh – a new expression of a famous year. Vindication of the Vinothèque release programme? (JR)
The 2002 Cristal Rosé Vinothèque is the latest Champagne in this series of late releases from Roederer. Rich, layered and expansive in feel, the 2002 is opulent to the core, which is to say very much in the style of the year. The Pinot in particular is so expressive in this tasting. There’s real presence and breadth here. Time has softened some of the contours, not that the 2002 needed much refining, as it was spectacular on release. Red-toned fruit, gentle spice, dried flowers, kirsch and mint are some of the many nuances that develop in a timeless, breathtaking Cristal Rosé that is simply brilliant today. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: 2018.
The best way I can covey what it feels like to experience this truly extraordinary rosé champagne is to say that it tastes like a mature vintage Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru - a red Burgundy! - with very fine bubbles and an acidity that gives it a weightless delicacy, it’s impossible to resist. After a bit of aeration there’s also a note of teriyaki sauce which makes this even more special. Tasted from Jeroboam at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink or hold.