2002 Louis Roederer, Cristal 1x750ml

Vinous 98/100

The 2002 Cristal is just entering its first plateau of maturity. Ripe, exotic and striking, the 2002 is all class. Apricot jam, ginger, spice, dried flowers and mint open first as the 2002 shows off its alluring personality. Pretty floral accents, apple tart and brioche build with time in the glass, bringing out added dimensions of freshness and energy. The 2002 was fabulous when I first tasted it just prior to release, and has consistently been outstanding. It is a rare Cristal made from all 45 parcels that comprise the estate, a telling sign of the high level of the vintage across the board. This is the original 2009 disgorgement. Dosage is 9 grams per liter. [Antonio Galloni, 12/06/2023]

Anticipated maturity: 2023-2043

Robert Parker 96

Tasted from the original 2009 disgorgement, the 2002 Cristal is a broad, vinous wine, bursting with aromas of honeyed yellow orchard fruit, warm butter, brioche and fresh peaches. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, textural and mouthfilling, rendering the fine-boned chalky structure and textural finesse that distinguish this quintessentially elegant style of this cuvee in a broader-shouldered, more enveloping register. The 2002 is beginning to enter its plateau of maturity and is drinking beautifully today, though it still has many years ahead of it. [William Kelley, 08/10/2019]

Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039