LOUIS ROEDERER Cristal Brut Millesime 2015 Bottle

Description

Dom Pérignon Cristal 2015 is an extraordinary Champagne that exemplifies elegance and complexity, receiving acclaim from various critics. Wine Enthusiast awards it 98 points, praising its organically farmed vineyards and beautiful balance as it begins to mature. James Suckling gives it 97 points, noting its fresh, elegant style with a complex nose of citrus blossom and mint, along with a fine mousse. Vinous rates it 96 points, highlighting its rich and explosive nature, with flavours of citrus confit and spice. The Wine Advocate scores it 95+ points, describing its aromatic profile of citrus oil and stone fruits, revealing a vinous character with significant aging potential. This prestigious cuvée is perfect for immediate enjoyment or cellaring for further development.

*****

WINE ENTHUSIAST 98 points
From vineyards that are run organically, this iconic Champagne's latest iteration is as beautiful as ever. Textured, with a mineral undertow, the wine is just beginning to soften and show a balanced maturity. Drink this great wine now. — Roger Voss

JAMES SUCKLING 97 points
For the warm and dry vintage this has tremendous freshness and elegance. The complex nose of citrus blossom, mint, lemon and lime zest opens up slowly as this aerates in the glass. The wine’s ample structure is still quite firm, which is a vintage characteristic, the mousse very fine but also very lively for an eight-year-old champagne. Cristal fans will love this as it is, but a year or two more in the bottle will do a lot for the very long mineral finish of this youthful masterpiece. A cuvee of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, picked from all 45 Cristal vineyard plots. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink from release.

VINOUS 96 points
I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far. 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 textual 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 in a lighter style 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 into the wine’s fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest that 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. The 2015 is a rare Cristal in this tasting (the other is 2002) that incorporates all 45 plots within the estate. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. - Antonio Galloni

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95+ points
Drink Date: 2027 - 2050
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. - William Kelley

DECANTER 95 points
Drinking Window: 2023 - 2035
An open and inviting nose references cream, oatmeal and Amalfi lemon with the slightest edge of smoke. The palate immediately strikes with a mouthwatering lemon ripeness and a juicy, mouthfilling generosity reminiscent of yellow plum. It stays true to the trademark sleekness of Cristal and speaks of the concentration of 2015. Fine mousse accentuates the fullness and roundness of the wine while the long finish hints at chalky depth which, for now, is dominated by ripe stone fruit and more of that textured, rich notion of oatmeal. Definitely a Cristal to enjoy soon. - Anne Krebiehl MW

JANCIS ROBINSON 17.5++ points
Creamy and welcoming on the nose. Flattering texture and lots packed in there. As usual, such a baby at this early stage! Some smokiness and a lot of dry savour. Tight-knit and introvert. Wait! Such a shame it has to be released so early … (JR)