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Inventory updated: Sat, Feb 07, 2026 01:52 PM cst
We are sorry, but that item has sold out. Please see other wines from this grower and region/vintage below.
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Champagne |
| Louis Roederer |
2002 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML) 
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,303.97 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (6/2018): Roederer's 2002 Cristal is a fabulous wine! Originally released in 2009, it was re-released in March this year—and was sold out in a very short time. The Cristal I tasted at Roederer in May 2018 was disgorged in 2010, after seven years sur lie. Its amazing richness and concentration makes it a forerunner of the 2015 and follows the 1999. Only two times—2002 and 2015—the fruit from all 42 plots reserved for Cristal was used for the Cristal. "I couldn't do any better blend than the one assembling all the 42 plots," says Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, stressing that at that time only two hectares were farmed biodynamically. As a result of the conversion to biodynamic farming, Lecaillon promised himself the production of even more beautiful, vital and balanced wines, and you can feel his satisfaction whenever he speaks of the cuvees that are yet to come such as 2012 and 2015, the latter of which he calls "the new 2002." Back to history: the nose of the 2002 Cristal shows a deep, ripe and elegant fruit with aromas of white chocolate, wet chalk, wild vanilla and pepper (typical for 2002) as well as terroir-driven truffle notes. Intense and very elegant in the mouth, this is a ripe, rich and concentrated yet also pure and vital Cristal with great finesse, elegance and mineral complexity. It's a sublime Champagne right now, although it's more wine than Champagne.
JS 98 (9/2018): A re-release of the original 2010 disgorgement. Super fine, super fresh and super savory aromas of chalky stones with hints of flowers, white almonds, lemon peel and grapefruit. The palate has intense, mouth-filling, lemon-curd flavor. Very powerful, very concentrated and very expressive. Smooth finish that’s full of life, leaving a bright, white cherry note. Drink in 2022.
VM 98 (7/2018): As hard as it may seem to believe, the 2002 Cristal Rose (Re-Release) is even better than the Blanc. Utterly explosive in the glass, with soaring aromatics and tremendous palate presence, the 2002 dazzles from the very first taste. With time in the glass the 2002 grows effortlessly, showing myriad shades of nuance with each successive taste. I am reminded of the vertical I did of Cristal Rose here a few years ago. Yes, the Rose is expensive and rare. But it also delivers the goods. And then some. Antonio Galloni. |
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2002 |
Cristal Champagne (3x1.5L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$4,270.97 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 98 (6/2018): Roederer's 2002 Cristal is a fabulous wine! Originally released in 2009, it was re-released in March this year—and was sold out in a very short time. The Cristal I tasted at Roederer in May 2018 was disgorged in 2010, after seven years sur lie. Its amazing richness and concentration makes it a forerunner of the 2015 and follows the 1999. Only two times—2002 and 2015—the fruit from all 42 plots reserved for Cristal was used for the Cristal. "I couldn't do any better blend than the one assembling all the 42 plots," says Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, stressing that at that time only two hectares were farmed biodynamically. As a result of the conversion to biodynamic farming, Lecaillon promised himself the production of even more beautiful, vital and balanced wines, and you can feel his satisfaction whenever he speaks of the cuvees that are yet to come such as 2012 and 2015, the latter of which he calls "the new 2002." Back to history: the nose of the 2002 Cristal shows a deep, ripe and elegant fruit with aromas of white chocolate, wet chalk, wild vanilla and pepper (typical for 2002) as well as terroir-driven truffle notes. Intense and very elegant in the mouth, this is a ripe, rich and concentrated yet also pure and vital Cristal with great finesse, elegance and mineral complexity. It's a sublime Champagne right now, although it's more wine than Champagne.
JS 98 (9/2018): A re-release of the original 2010 disgorgement. Super fine, super fresh and super savory aromas of chalky stones with hints of flowers, white almonds, lemon peel and grapefruit. The palate has intense, mouth-filling, lemon-curd flavor. Very powerful, very concentrated and very expressive. Smooth finish that’s full of life, leaving a bright, white cherry note. Drink in 2022.
VM 98 (7/2018): As hard as it may seem to believe, the 2002 Cristal Rose (Re-Release) is even better than the Blanc. Utterly explosive in the glass, with soaring aromatics and tremendous palate presence, the 2002 dazzles from the very first taste. With time in the glass the 2002 grows effortlessly, showing myriad shades of nuance with each successive taste. I am reminded of the vertical I did of Cristal Rose here a few years ago. Yes, the Rose is expensive and rare. But it also delivers the goods. And then some. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2002 |
Cristal Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,255.99 |
2 |
|
| |
WA 98 (6/2018): Roederer's 2002 Cristal is a fabulous wine! Originally released in 2009, it was re-released in March this year—and was sold out in a very short time. The Cristal I tasted at Roederer in May 2018 was disgorged in 2010, after seven years sur lie. Its amazing richness and concentration makes it a forerunner of the 2015 and follows the 1999. Only two times—2002 and 2015—the fruit from all 42 plots reserved for Cristal was used for the Cristal. "I couldn't do any better blend than the one assembling all the 42 plots," says Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, stressing that at that time only two hectares were farmed biodynamically. As a result of the conversion to biodynamic farming, Lecaillon promised himself the production of even more beautiful, vital and balanced wines, and you can feel his satisfaction whenever he speaks of the cuvees that are yet to come such as 2012 and 2015, the latter of which he calls "the new 2002." Back to history: the nose of the 2002 Cristal shows a deep, ripe and elegant fruit with aromas of white chocolate, wet chalk, wild vanilla and pepper (typical for 2002) as well as terroir-driven truffle notes. Intense and very elegant in the mouth, this is a ripe, rich and concentrated yet also pure and vital Cristal with great finesse, elegance and mineral complexity. It's a sublime Champagne right now, although it's more wine than Champagne.
JS 98 (9/2018): A re-release of the original 2010 disgorgement. Super fine, super fresh and super savory aromas of chalky stones with hints of flowers, white almonds, lemon peel and grapefruit. The palate has intense, mouth-filling, lemon-curd flavor. Very powerful, very concentrated and very expressive. Smooth finish that’s full of life, leaving a bright, white cherry note. Drink in 2022.
VM 98 (7/2018): As hard as it may seem to believe, the 2002 Cristal Rose (Re-Release) is even better than the Blanc. Utterly explosive in the glass, with soaring aromatics and tremendous palate presence, the 2002 dazzles from the very first taste. With time in the glass the 2002 grows effortlessly, showing myriad shades of nuance with each successive taste. I am reminded of the vertical I did of Cristal Rose here a few years ago. Yes, the Rose is expensive and rare. But it also delivers the goods. And then some. Antonio Galloni. |
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|
2004 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,866.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 94 (12/2010): (55% pinot noir and 45% chardonnay) Light, bright gold. Spicy citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complemented by chalk, white flowers and a touch of smokiness. Taut, linear lemon and orange rind flavors give way to deeper pear in the mid-palate and pick up notes of honeysuckle and toasted grain with air. Still very young but shows excellent promise. Finishes with good mineral cut and sappy persistence. |
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2005 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,690.99 |
1 |
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| |
JS 96 (3/2012): The complexity and youthful freshness here makes a striking Champagne that offers immense pleasure and a certain richness and depth that reflects the style of the vintage with some warmth reflected in the wine. The nose has rich citrus and stone fruits, some white flowers, light creamy honey notes and fresh sweet pastry, it has a toasty thread that has built quickly in the wine. Plenty of body on the palate, it has a wealth of assertive citrus and more exotic fruits too, the power and concentration undeniable, the length impressive and the balance impeccable. Already great drinking here. Slightly higher chardonnay component at around 45%.
VM 94 (12/2012): Bright yellow-gold. Heady floral-accented citrus and orchard fruits on the nose, with smoky mineral and floral overtones adding complexity. Velvety and chewy in texture, offering deep, juicy orange and poached pear flavors and suave honey and chamomile nuances. Blends precision with power, finishing with a distinct mineral quality and excellent persistence. Josh Raynolds.
WA 93 (11/2012): The 2005 Cristal stands out for its exceptional inner perfume and elegance. Soft, delicate and pretty, the 2005 is a relatively immediate Cristal with all of the signatures very much in the right place. The 2005 doesn't have the opulence of the 2002 nor the focus of the 2004, but it is a very pretty, if somewhat small-scaled version of this iconic Champagne. I would drink the 2005 while the 2002 and 2004 age. Although Cristal has an impeccable track record when it comes to aging, personally I would not push it with the 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
BH 93 (10/2015): Like the 2006 this is notably ripe with plenty of yeast, brioche and orchard fruit characters but in this case there is no tropicality. There is fine mid-palate density to the relatively powerful and very rich flavors that possess excellent complexity on the lingering finish that really fans out as it sits in the mouth. Like many 2005s this is not an especially refined vintage for Cristal nor does it possess the effervescent punch it usually does. Those aspects duly noted, this certainly cannot be faulted in terms of richness and complexity and for my taste, this is probably drinking about as well as it's going to though I underscore that it should drink well for many years to come. Drink now+. |
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2005 |
Cristal Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$898.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JS 96 (3/2012): The complexity and youthful freshness here makes a striking Champagne that offers immense pleasure and a certain richness and depth that reflects the style of the vintage with some warmth reflected in the wine. The nose has rich citrus and stone fruits, some white flowers, light creamy honey notes and fresh sweet pastry, it has a toasty thread that has built quickly in the wine. Plenty of body on the palate, it has a wealth of assertive citrus and more exotic fruits too, the power and concentration undeniable, the length impressive and the balance impeccable. Already great drinking here. Slightly higher chardonnay component at around 45%.
VM 94 (12/2012): Bright yellow-gold. Heady floral-accented citrus and orchard fruits on the nose, with smoky mineral and floral overtones adding complexity. Velvety and chewy in texture, offering deep, juicy orange and poached pear flavors and suave honey and chamomile nuances. Blends precision with power, finishing with a distinct mineral quality and excellent persistence. Josh Raynolds.
WA 93 (11/2012): The 2005 Cristal stands out for its exceptional inner perfume and elegance. Soft, delicate and pretty, the 2005 is a relatively immediate Cristal with all of the signatures very much in the right place. The 2005 doesn't have the opulence of the 2002 nor the focus of the 2004, but it is a very pretty, if somewhat small-scaled version of this iconic Champagne. I would drink the 2005 while the 2002 and 2004 age. Although Cristal has an impeccable track record when it comes to aging, personally I would not push it with the 2005. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.
BH 93 (10/2015): Like the 2006 this is notably ripe with plenty of yeast, brioche and orchard fruit characters but in this case there is no tropicality. There is fine mid-palate density to the relatively powerful and very rich flavors that possess excellent complexity on the lingering finish that really fans out as it sits in the mouth. Like many 2005s this is not an especially refined vintage for Cristal nor does it possess the effervescent punch it usually does. Those aspects duly noted, this certainly cannot be faulted in terms of richness and complexity and for my taste, this is probably drinking about as well as it's going to though I underscore that it should drink well for many years to come. Drink now+. |
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2006 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,567.99 |
2 |
|
| |
VM 97 (5/2014): Broad, ample and resonant on the palate, the 2006 Cristal dazzles with its pure richness and volume. Readers need to give the 2006 another 4-5 years in bottle, perhaps longer, as the wine appears to be shutting down a bit. Tasted next to the 2002, today the 2006 is a bit less opulent but just as intense, layered and deep. This is a fabulous showing. 10,000 cases imported in the US.
VM 95 (12/2013): (Made from 55% pinot noir and 45% chardonnay; 20% of the wine was aged in oak; no malo, as usual): Light, bright gold. Heady mineral- and smoke-accented citrus and orchard fruit aromas, with notes of fig, toasted nuts and sweet butter adding complexity and depth. Powerful, palate-staining poached pear and orange flavors are given spine by a smoky mineral quality, picking up floral and spicecake notes with air. Rich but lively and precise, finishing with superb clarity, power and spicy persistence. Drinking this Champagne now would be a shame given this cuvee's track record for aging.
JS 94 (12/2013): This is very approachable with dried mangoes and lemons plus hints of yeast. Full body, dried friut and a pretty, tangy finish. Balanced and delicious. Drink now.
WA 93 (11/2013): Roederer’s 2006 Brut Cristal is striking in its sense of lift and delicacy, serving as one of many instances where those bringing preconceptions of this vintage’s warmth and ripeness of fruit to their experience may be pleasantly surprised. A nose of fresh apple, fennel and cucumber sets up associations with a slaw or salad that are crisply, lusciously and refreshingly redeemed on the palate. A garland of honeysuckle and heliotrope complements subtle suggestions of raw almond and vanilla, while alkaline and iodine notes as well as cooling but pungent green herbal notes add to the soothing yet stimulating finish. This exceptionally poised, refined, and buoyant performance is apt to gain depth with a few years’ bottle age. |
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2007 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,617.99 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 97+ (7/2015): Long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has produced yet another in a string of superb Champagnes with the 2007 Cristal. Rich, powerful and enveloping, the 2007 takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. The aromatics alone are captivating, but then the wine opens on the palate, revealing layer after layer of flavor to match a multi-dimensional, kaleidoscopic personality that will leave Champagne lovers weak at the knees. The 2007 is 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir, which is to say a bit more Chardonnay-leaning than is the norm. The 2007 is striking today, but it should also age effortlessly for several decades. It is also without question one of the very finest new releases of the year. |
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2008 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,040.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 100 (12/2018): The 2008 Cristal is a perfect wine, and Champagne simple does not get any better. This incredible wine offers a beautiful perfume of clean, crisp fruits, layers of complexity in its toasted spice and white flowers, and an utterly seamless, yet powerful style on the palate. This is a rich, decadent expression of Cristal yet it’s still crystalline and elegant, with no sensation of weight, and it just glides over the palate. Haut Couture at its finest and this majestic, profound, legendary Cristal can be drunk anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.
JS 100 (1/2018): Disgorged October 2016 and will be the first Cristal to be released ten years from harvest when it is offered in 2018. 35 parcels used from a possible 45 in this vintage. The assemblage is 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. This is so fresh and tense and mineral with extremely exuberant chardonnay notes on the nose of white peach, lemon and yellow grapefruit, and hints of almost brambly sous bois aromas. The yeast characters are also super fresh, and there are subtle woody notes, with a hint of vanilla bean and light spices. The palate is super long, and very pure, powerful and focused. It drives deep and taut. Pinot noir is a strong core and the chardonnay sits at the edge offering lemon and white nectarine sorbet flavors. Staggeringly concentrated, yet the balance makes it seem airy and light. Acidity is perfectly positioned, and the power is intense and long. This is an ultra precise Cristal, finishing with a mere suggestion of savoriness and warmth to come. Impressive on release, this will be at its best drinking from 2025.
VM 99 (12/2019): The 2008 Cristal is one of the most complete, most dazzling Champagnes I have ever tasted. A stunning wine from any and all perspectives, the 2008 simply has it all. Spherical in construction, with superb persistence. The 2008 takes hold of all the senses and never gives up. One of the many things that makes the 2008 special is a combination of ripe fruit and bright, piercing acidity. Marzipan, lemon confit, dried flowers and orchard fruit all build into the explosive, resonant finish. “We learned from the mistakes of 1996, when we picked more on acid than ripeness, as was the norm in Champagne back then” Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon told me recently. “In 1996, the best fruit turned out to be the last picks, where the fruit was physiologically ripe. Today, we aim to pick all our fruit with that criteria.” Antonio Galloni.
WA 98 (3/2020): Disgorged in September 2017 with 7.5 grams per liter dosage, the 2008 Cristal was produced from 37 of the 45 parcels that are candidates for inclusion in this cuvee—some 40% of which were farmed organically back in 2008—and it's a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The finest young Cristal in decades, the wine wafts from the glass with a pure and vibrant bouquet of crisp orchard fruit, clear honey, warm brioche, citrus zest and white flowers. On the palate, it's full-bodied, intense and incisive, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, searingly chalky finish. Pristinely balanced, there are some 500,000 bottles of this legend-in-the-making. |
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2008 |
Cristal Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,067.99 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 100 (12/2018): The 2008 Cristal is a perfect wine, and Champagne simple does not get any better. This incredible wine offers a beautiful perfume of clean, crisp fruits, layers of complexity in its toasted spice and white flowers, and an utterly seamless, yet powerful style on the palate. This is a rich, decadent expression of Cristal yet it’s still crystalline and elegant, with no sensation of weight, and it just glides over the palate. Haut Couture at its finest and this majestic, profound, legendary Cristal can be drunk anytime over the coming 2-3 decades.
JS 100 (1/2018): Disgorged October 2016 and will be the first Cristal to be released ten years from harvest when it is offered in 2018. 35 parcels used from a possible 45 in this vintage. The assemblage is 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay. This is so fresh and tense and mineral with extremely exuberant chardonnay notes on the nose of white peach, lemon and yellow grapefruit, and hints of almost brambly sous bois aromas. The yeast characters are also super fresh, and there are subtle woody notes, with a hint of vanilla bean and light spices. The palate is super long, and very pure, powerful and focused. It drives deep and taut. Pinot noir is a strong core and the chardonnay sits at the edge offering lemon and white nectarine sorbet flavors. Staggeringly concentrated, yet the balance makes it seem airy and light. Acidity is perfectly positioned, and the power is intense and long. This is an ultra precise Cristal, finishing with a mere suggestion of savoriness and warmth to come. Impressive on release, this will be at its best drinking from 2025.
VM 99 (12/2019): The 2008 Cristal is one of the most complete, most dazzling Champagnes I have ever tasted. A stunning wine from any and all perspectives, the 2008 simply has it all. Spherical in construction, with superb persistence. The 2008 takes hold of all the senses and never gives up. One of the many things that makes the 2008 special is a combination of ripe fruit and bright, piercing acidity. Marzipan, lemon confit, dried flowers and orchard fruit all build into the explosive, resonant finish. “We learned from the mistakes of 1996, when we picked more on acid than ripeness, as was the norm in Champagne back then” Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon told me recently. “In 1996, the best fruit turned out to be the last picks, where the fruit was physiologically ripe. Today, we aim to pick all our fruit with that criteria.” Antonio Galloni.
WA 98 (3/2020): Disgorged in September 2017 with 7.5 grams per liter dosage, the 2008 Cristal was produced from 37 of the 45 parcels that are candidates for inclusion in this cuvee—some 40% of which were farmed organically back in 2008—and it's a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The finest young Cristal in decades, the wine wafts from the glass with a pure and vibrant bouquet of crisp orchard fruit, clear honey, warm brioche, citrus zest and white flowers. On the palate, it's full-bodied, intense and incisive, with superb concentration, racy acids and a long, searingly chalky finish. Pristinely balanced, there are some 500,000 bottles of this legend-in-the-making. |
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2009 |
Cristal Champagne (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$616.97 |
1 |
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| |
JS 97 (10/2016): A very rich and full-bodied Cristal that harks back to 2006 or 1989 in style. It's round and rich, which underlies the ripeness of the vintage. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character with bread dough and flan flavors. The bubbles are so fine you almost don't notice them. Very vinous style. Drink now.
VM 96 (7/2017): Rich, creamy and radiant, the 2009 Cristal captures all of the natural generosity of the vintage while also retaining a good bit of freshness and aromatic intensity. Immediate and totally sensual in its allure, the 2009 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All things considered, at this stage, the 2009 comes across as relatively restrained for a wine from a warm year. Antonio Galloni. |
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2009 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,816.99 |
1 |
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| |
JS 97 (10/2016): A very rich and full-bodied Cristal that harks back to 2006 or 1989 in style. It's round and rich, which underlies the ripeness of the vintage. Lots of dried-apple and pineapple character with bread dough and flan flavors. The bubbles are so fine you almost don't notice them. Very vinous style. Drink now.
VM 96 (7/2017): Rich, creamy and radiant, the 2009 Cristal captures all of the natural generosity of the vintage while also retaining a good bit of freshness and aromatic intensity. Immediate and totally sensual in its allure, the 2009 will drink well with minimal cellaring. All things considered, at this stage, the 2009 comes across as relatively restrained for a wine from a warm year. Antonio Galloni. |
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2012 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,549.99 |
1 |
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| |
VM 98 (12/2019): The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal. Antonio Galloni.
JS 98 (7/2019): Such attractive, fresh, floral aromas here with fine bread, hints of white almonds and a lemon edge. White cherries and strong, chalky minerals, too. The palate has a very composed feel. Seamless and quite silky texture with effortless length and flow. Very fluid and composed. Very late, warming almond flavors. This is very long and smooth with a velvety finish. Super long pinot weight. Resolved and drinkable, but will age so well.
WA 97+ (12/2019): Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that's built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself. |
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2012 |
Cristal Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$871.97 |
2 |
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| |
VM 98 (12/2019): The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal. Antonio Galloni.
JS 98 (7/2019): Such attractive, fresh, floral aromas here with fine bread, hints of white almonds and a lemon edge. White cherries and strong, chalky minerals, too. The palate has a very composed feel. Seamless and quite silky texture with effortless length and flow. Very fluid and composed. Very late, warming almond flavors. This is very long and smooth with a velvety finish. Super long pinot weight. Resolved and drinkable, but will age so well.
WA 97+ (12/2019): Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that's built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself. |
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2013 |
Cristal Champagne (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$685.97 |
1 |
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| VM 97+ (11/2021): The 2013 Cristal is a wine of extraordinary precision and tension. Searing acids drive a bold, racy Champagne that won’t be ready to offer its best drinking anytime soon. In recent vintages, Cristal has been quite open on release. That is far from the case with the 2013. Readers should plan on being quite patient. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont-sur-Vesle) and 40% Chardonnay (Mesnil, Avize, Cramant). Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon was especially selective and used only 30 out of the potential 45 plots that are typically available for Cristal. About 32% of the lots were done in oak, the rest in steel, with the malolactic fermentation blocked across the board. It was an October harvest, the sort of harvest that has become increasingly rare in Champagne. Lecaillon describes the summer as similar to 2012, but adds the vines were a month behind in their development. In tasting, the 2013 reminds me of the 1996 in its austerity, even more so than the epic 2008. Antonio Galloni. |
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2013 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,547.99 |
3 |
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| |
| VM 97+ (11/2021): The 2013 Cristal is a wine of extraordinary precision and tension. Searing acids drive a bold, racy Champagne that won’t be ready to offer its best drinking anytime soon. In recent vintages, Cristal has been quite open on release. That is far from the case with the 2013. Readers should plan on being quite patient. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont-sur-Vesle) and 40% Chardonnay (Mesnil, Avize, Cramant). Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon was especially selective and used only 30 out of the potential 45 plots that are typically available for Cristal. About 32% of the lots were done in oak, the rest in steel, with the malolactic fermentation blocked across the board. It was an October harvest, the sort of harvest that has become increasingly rare in Champagne. Lecaillon describes the summer as similar to 2012, but adds the vines were a month behind in their development. In tasting, the 2013 reminds me of the 1996 in its austerity, even more so than the epic 2008. Antonio Galloni. |
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2013 |
Cristal Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$826.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 97+ (11/2021): The 2013 Cristal is a wine of extraordinary precision and tension. Searing acids drive a bold, racy Champagne that won’t be ready to offer its best drinking anytime soon. In recent vintages, Cristal has been quite open on release. That is far from the case with the 2013. Readers should plan on being quite patient. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir (from Aÿ, Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont-sur-Vesle) and 40% Chardonnay (Mesnil, Avize, Cramant). Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon was especially selective and used only 30 out of the potential 45 plots that are typically available for Cristal. About 32% of the lots were done in oak, the rest in steel, with the malolactic fermentation blocked across the board. It was an October harvest, the sort of harvest that has become increasingly rare in Champagne. Lecaillon describes the summer as similar to 2012, but adds the vines were a month behind in their development. In tasting, the 2013 reminds me of the 1996 in its austerity, even more so than the epic 2008. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2014 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,513.97 |
10 |
|
| |
VM 98 (2/2022): The 2014 Cristal is another in a long line of gorgeous wines from Roederer and long-time Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. A dazzling, vibrant Champagne, the 2014 impresses with a stunning combination of fruit density and linear energy that brings to mind a hypothetical blend of 2012 and 2008. At times, the bubbles feel totally wrapped up in waves of creamy, resonant fruit to the point the mousse is barely perceptible, especially with aeration. The flavors are bright and finely sculpted, leaning very much into the citrus, floral and mineral end of the spectrum.
JS 97 (6/2022): Lots of mineral and oyster-shell aromas with light toasted-bread and pie-crust undertones. Hints of caramel, apple and pear tart, too. Medium to full body with phenolic intensity and length. Intense at the finish, with driving acidity and length. Generous and expressive. Dosage 7g/L. Very drinkable now, but even better in 2025.
WA 96 (2/2022): The 2014 Cristal is a terrific effort that transcends the vintage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, nectarine, white flowers, freshly baked bread and subtle hints of honeycomb, it's medium to full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an exuberant core of fruit that's girdled by racy acids, resulting in a wine that's simultaneously chiseled and demonstrative, meaning that early appeal doesn't come at the expense of the requisite tension for long-term cellaring. Concluding with a long, aromatic and intensely chalky finish, it is a brilliant Champagne that will offer a broad drinking window. This bottle was disgorged in June 2021 with seven grams per liter dosage.
JD 96 (2/2022): It’s always educational, and a treat, to taste the latest vintage of Louis Roederer’s flagship Cristal Champagne. This cuvee is sourced from 45 separate plots covering just under 200 acres spread between the villages of Verzeny, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Cramant. The vineyards are farmed either organically or biodynamically and are planted to a 60/40 split of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Each parcel is vinified separately and for the 2014, only 39 parcels made the final selection, with the blend being roughly 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The wine has the malolactic fermentation blocked and is brought up in a mix of 32% oak and 68% tank. This was a warmer year that saw fabulous springtime weather, a slightly cooler, rainy summer, and a great end of the year. The 2014 fits in nicely in recent vintages and has a style all its own, showing a fleshy, round, nicely concentrated style reminiscent of the 2012 yet not quite the precision of either the 2008 or 2013. Gorgeous and classic Cristal stone fruit, chalky minerality, white flowers, almond paste, and subtle toast emerge on the nose and it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, a supple, almost creamy texture, terrific balance, and a great finish. It’s surprisingly approachable yet I’ve no doubt it will evolve nicely given its mid-palate depth and overall balance. It’s beautiful today and a terrific Cristal to enjoy over the coming two decades or so. It’s unquestionably more approachable than either the 2013 or 2008, but not far off qualitatively. |
|
|
2015 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,544.99 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 96 (5/2023): I have tasted the 2015 Cristal three times so far - once as part of an extensive vertical I will be reporting on shortly, and then later in my office. 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 textural 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 lighter 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 in the wine’s fabric. Two later tastings in my office strongly suggest the 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. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Disgorged: November 2022. Antonio Galloni.
WA 95+ (4/2023): 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. |
|
|
2016 |
Cristal Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,550.99 |
12 |
|
| |
|
|
2002 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$3,490.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
Cristal Rose Champagne
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$653.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2005 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,953.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2006 |
Cristal Rose Champagne
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$684.97 |
4 |
|
| |
| VM 98 (5/2015): One of the highlights in this tasting, the 2006 Cristal Rose is simply stunning. A vertical, towering wine, the 2006 Cristal Rose is a thrill a minute, with a compelling interplay of aromatics and exquisitely layered fruit, all supported by a real feeling of phenolic intensity. While the 2007 is seductive, the 2006 is virile and imposing, with the statuesque lift of a Giacometti sculpture. All the elements meld together in a complete, alluring Champagne that will continue to drink beautifully for many decades. In 2006, the Pinot Noir was already being farmed biodynamically, while the Chardonnay was still under conversion. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2006 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (6x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,975.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 98 (5/2015): One of the highlights in this tasting, the 2006 Cristal Rose is simply stunning. A vertical, towering wine, the 2006 Cristal Rose is a thrill a minute, with a compelling interplay of aromatics and exquisitely layered fruit, all supported by a real feeling of phenolic intensity. While the 2007 is seductive, the 2006 is virile and imposing, with the statuesque lift of a Giacometti sculpture. All the elements meld together in a complete, alluring Champagne that will continue to drink beautifully for many decades. In 2006, the Pinot Noir was already being farmed biodynamically, while the Chardonnay was still under conversion. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2006 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,005.97 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 98 (5/2015): One of the highlights in this tasting, the 2006 Cristal Rose is simply stunning. A vertical, towering wine, the 2006 Cristal Rose is a thrill a minute, with a compelling interplay of aromatics and exquisitely layered fruit, all supported by a real feeling of phenolic intensity. While the 2007 is seductive, the 2006 is virile and imposing, with the statuesque lift of a Giacometti sculpture. All the elements meld together in a complete, alluring Champagne that will continue to drink beautifully for many decades. In 2006, the Pinot Noir was already being farmed biodynamically, while the Chardonnay was still under conversion. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2007 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,719.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2008 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$2,845.97 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 99 (7/2018): As a group, the 2008 Champagnes are focused and tightly wound. The 2008 Cristal Rose has plenty of those qualities, but what places it in a truly rarified category is its sheer depth and verticality. Vinous, powerful and resonant, the 2008 Cristal Rose has more than enough stuffing to support decades of cellaring. For starters, it won’t be ready to drink for another 5-10 years. This is a positively monumental, towering Champagne from Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon and his team. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2009 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,545.97 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2012 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,030.99 |
2 |
|
| |
JD 99 (7/2020): Just about as good as it gets, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a magical effort based on 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay. It’s a powerful, medium to full-bodied, incredibly textured rosé offering a huge amount of salty, chalky minerality as well as awesome notes of white cherries, orange blossom, caramelized apples, and toasted bread. It shows the ripe, rounded richness of the 2012 vintage yet has bright, racy acidity, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. It opens up nicely with air and will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 2-3 decades. (Drink between 2022-2054).
VM 98 (11/2024): In this setting, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a cut above the 2012 Cristal. The Rosé’s explosive energy and vibrancy are both compelling, and also a very fine match for the food. Time in the glass brings out the breadth and creaminess of the year. The blend is 55% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and 45% Chardonnay from Mesnil and Avize. This is a terrific showing. We are off to the races. (Drink between 2026-2052). Antonio Galloni.
WA 98 (3/2020): The 2012 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with a beautiful bouquet of fresh peach, bergamot, strawberries, tangerine and blanched almonds that's still quite reserved. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and strikingly complete, its vinous attack segueing into a multidimensional core that exemplifies the ideal of power without weight, built around a racy but integrated spine of animating acidity and complemented by an exquisitely refined mousse. All the concentration of the 2012 vintage is on display, but it's rendered with terrific finesse. Decidedly youthful and introverted—indeed, I spent several hours with a bottle to compose this note—the 2012 will really come into its own with five or six years in the cellar and displays all the attributes necessary for considerable longevity. It's a blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay that saw no malolactic fermentation, and it was disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage. |
|
|
2012 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,442.99 |
1 |
|
| |
JD 99 (7/2020): Just about as good as it gets, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a magical effort based on 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay. It’s a powerful, medium to full-bodied, incredibly textured rosé offering a huge amount of salty, chalky minerality as well as awesome notes of white cherries, orange blossom, caramelized apples, and toasted bread. It shows the ripe, rounded richness of the 2012 vintage yet has bright, racy acidity, perfect balance, and a great, great finish. It opens up nicely with air and will ideally be given 2-4 years of bottle age, and it should evolve for 2-3 decades. (Drink between 2022-2054).
VM 98 (11/2024): In this setting, the 2012 Cristal Rosé is a cut above the 2012 Cristal. The Rosé’s explosive energy and vibrancy are both compelling, and also a very fine match for the food. Time in the glass brings out the breadth and creaminess of the year. The blend is 55% Pinot Noir from Aÿ and 45% Chardonnay from Mesnil and Avize. This is a terrific showing. We are off to the races. (Drink between 2026-2052). Antonio Galloni.
WA 98 (3/2020): The 2012 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unwinding in the glass with a beautiful bouquet of fresh peach, bergamot, strawberries, tangerine and blanched almonds that's still quite reserved. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and strikingly complete, its vinous attack segueing into a multidimensional core that exemplifies the ideal of power without weight, built around a racy but integrated spine of animating acidity and complemented by an exquisitely refined mousse. All the concentration of the 2012 vintage is on display, but it's rendered with terrific finesse. Decidedly youthful and introverted—indeed, I spent several hours with a bottle to compose this note—the 2012 will really come into its own with five or six years in the cellar and displays all the attributes necessary for considerable longevity. It's a blend of 56% Pinot Noir and 44% Chardonnay that saw no malolactic fermentation, and it was disgorged with eight grams per liter dosage. |
|
|
2013 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (1.5 L)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,427.97 |
6 |
|
| |
| VM 99 (4/2024): Tasted from magnum, the 2013 Cristal Rosé is ravishing. Dense, creamy and powerful, the 2013 captures all the qualities of the vintage, specifically the interplay of rich fruit from the warm summer and cooler inflections from a year that started late and ended late with a rare October harvest. Today, the 2013 is deep and beautifully seamless, but it is also young – far too young to be at its best. Dosage is 6.5 grams per liter, a bit less than for the standard bottlings, a decision taken to balance longer aging on the lees and a bit more residual sugar that is always left in the magnums after fermentation. Readers who can find the 2013 in magnum will experience one of the greatest thrills in wine. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2013 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,631.99 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 99 (4/2024): Tasted from magnum, the 2013 Cristal Rosé is ravishing. Dense, creamy and powerful, the 2013 captures all the qualities of the vintage, specifically the interplay of rich fruit from the warm summer and cooler inflections from a year that started late and ended late with a rare October harvest. Today, the 2013 is deep and beautifully seamless, but it is also young – far too young to be at its best. Dosage is 6.5 grams per liter, a bit less than for the standard bottlings, a decision taken to balance longer aging on the lees and a bit more residual sugar that is always left in the magnums after fermentation. Readers who can find the 2013 in magnum will experience one of the greatest thrills in wine. Antonio Galloni. |
|
|
2014 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,682.99 |
1 |
|
| |
|
|
2015 |
Cristal Rose Champagne (3x750ML)
ETA 90-120 Days; No cancellations or returns. This item may be subject to tariffs. |
$1,611.98 |
14 |
|
| |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Champagne |
| Dom Perignon |
1990 |
Oenotheque Champagne Scuffed Label |
$1,099 |
1 |
|
| |
| VM 95 (12/2005): Silvery gold color, with a very fine mousse. Absolutely stunning aromatics: pungent iodine, oyster shell, oatmeal, toasted wheat and bitter lemon. This smells like top-notch Chevalier-Montrachet from a great vintage. Broad and deep but also very fresh and bright, with suave, toasty citrus and smoke flavors accented by exotic spices. This expands impressively on the back, finishing with great impact, and impression of strong extract, and notes of bacon fat, toffee and minerals. |
|
| Producer |
Vint. |
Wine |
Price |
Qty |
Order |
| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Fonbadet |
2019 |
Pauillac (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$22.99 |
37 |
|
| |
JD 93 (4/2022): Blackcurrants, smoked tobacco, chocolate, and some cedary, spicy, lead pencil notes all emerge from the 2019 Château Fonbadet, a medium to full-bodied, rich, mouth-filling Pauillac with plenty of tannins, a balanced, layered mouthfeel, good concentration, and outstanding length. It will evolve for 20+ years if stored properly. (Drink between 2022-2044).
VM 93 (2/2022): The 2019 Fonbadet, impressive from barrel, has a delineated bouquet of blackberry, bilberry and touch of licorice that gains intensity with aeration; this is a Pauillac with ambition. The palate is medium-bodied with grip and density, broad shoulders and a very saline finish. This should age supremely well. (Drink between 2025-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 90 (4/2022): From a 12-hectare estate sandwiched in between Pontet Canet, Pédesclaux and Lafite, the 2019 Fonbadet offers up aromas of cassis, plums, cocoa nib and cigar wrapper. Medium to full-bodied, lively and creditably concentrated, it's built around powdery tannins that assert themselves on the youthfully chewy finish. |
|
| Ch. Lafon Rochet |
2019 |
St. Estephe (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$27 |
35 |
|
| |
| JS 93-94 (6/2020): The purity of fruit and balance in this young St.-Estephe is really beautiful with crushed-currant, stone and orange-peel aromas and flavors. It’s medium-to full-bodied with fine tannins and a pretty finish. We will see if this is better than the 2018 or not. |
|
| Ch. Langoa Barton |
2018 |
St. Julien (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$29 |
7 |
|
| |
|
| Les Fiefs de Lagrange |
2010 |
St. Julien (375 ML) |
$32 |
58 |
|
| |
| WA 89-91 (5/2011): A blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 9% Petit Verdot, this has a very fine nose of blackberry, briary and a touch of black tea. Good definition and purity. The Petit Verdot add a little edginess to this wine that has fine tension if lacking a little length on the saturated, slightly chewy finish. Very good purity and precision though. |
|
| Pichon Comtesse Reserve |
2020 |
Pauillac (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$28 |
57 |
|
| |
JD 93 (3/2023): The second wine from this talented team, the 2020 Pichon Comtesse Reserve is worth seeking out. I always find this wine to offer loads of pleasure. Possessing the elegance and purity of the vintage (as well as this estate), it has a pretty perfume of red and blue fruits , some spring flowers and graphite on the nose, ultra-fine tannins, and an already accessible, delicious profile. It's perfect for drinking over the coming 10-12 years. (Drink between 2023-2035).
VM 92 (11/2024): The 2020 Reserve de Pichon Comtesse has quite a concentrated bouquet—blackberry and raspberry fruit, a touch of cassis, just a soupçon of exoticism. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy black fruit, fine balance, plenty of freshness and a breezy, well-defined finish. Delightful. Tasted blind at the annual Southwold tasting. (Drink between 2028-2050). Neal Martin.
WA 91 (4/2023): Much like the grand vin, the 2020 Resèrve de la Comtesse is charming and polished, bursting with aromas of dark berries, plums, rose petals and mint. Medium to full-bodied, suave and enveloping, it will drink well on release. |
|
| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. La Tour Blanche |
2009 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$34.95 |
60 |
|
| |
JS 96 (5/2013): Impressive density of fruity here with caramel, dried lemons, apricots and honey. Full yet reserved and beautiful. Wonderful length. One of the Sauternes of the vintage. Better in 2016.
WA 93 (2/2013): The 2009 La Tour Blanche has a gorgeous, botrytis-rich bouquet with lemon thyme, honey and spice, with just a touch of alcoholic warmth denying it the clarity it deserves. The palate is crisp and taut on the entry with notes of apricot and white peach emerging with a few swirls of the glass. It offers a pleasing viscosity and volume in the mouth, although compared to its barrel showing, it appears to have tightened up more than I expected, possibly a sign that it is a wine in for the long haul. Drink 2017-2035. |
|
| Ch. Suduiraut |
2013 |
Sauternes (375 ML) ex-Negociant |
$32.95 |
60 |
|
| |
JS 97 (2/2016): This is phenomenal with superb depth and texture. Full-bodied and very sweet, yet the bright acidity balances the wine out. Creamy mouthfeel with phenolic undertones. Great finish. This wine has a great future. Better in 2021, but already great.
WA 93-95 (4/2014): The 2013 Suduiraut has one of the more flamboyant bouquets of the vintage, one that is actually reminiscent of de Fargues. There are copious Satsuma and dried honey scents, hints of beeswax and almond that keep your snout in the glass. The palate is very well-balanced with a viscous entry, just a touch of marmalade and quince coming through, and then blossoming toward the weighty finish that shows just a touch more oak at the moment. This is an excellent Suduiraut.
VM 92 (3/2019): The 2013 Suduiraut, picked from 3 to 30 October, is destined to be overshadowed by the succeeding two vintages. The aromatics feel very “contained” with beeswax, dried honey and light spicy aromas, although it is missing the intensity of a top vintage. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, very focused and poised, perhaps a more approachable Suduiraut since it does not possess the concentration of a more benevolent growing season. But it retains admirable freshness and there is a lovely spiciness, a dab of ginger on the aftertaste. 13.6% alcohol, 145gm/L residual sugar. Tasted at the Suduiraut vertical at the château. Neal Martin. |
|
| | Alsace |
| Dom. Gresser |
2010 |
Gewurtraminer Kritt (375 ML) |
$25 |
4 |
|
| |
|
| Dom. Weinbach |
1999 |
Gewurztraminer Altenbourg VT (375 ML) Signed Bottle |
$79 |
1 |
|
| |
WA 94 (12/2001): The 1999 Gewurztraminer Altenbourg Vendanges Tardives explodes from the glass with roses, lychee nuts, and spices. Full-bodied, rich, and opulent, this is a compellingly huge yet elegant offering. Its exuberant personality possesses candied berries, rose water, violets, mangoes, poached pears, and clove notes. Anticipated maturity: now-2014.
VM 93 (7/2001): Intriguing aromas of jasmine, gardenia, curry powder and minerals. Extremely rich, fat and full in the mouth; dusty but not bitter on the back end. Very spicy and very long. Tastes less sweet than its 102 g/l r.s. would suggest. Stephen Tanzer. |
|
|
2013 |
Gewurztraminer Furstentum Vendanges Tardive (375 ML) |
$79 |
3 |
|
| |
| VM 93+ (2/2016): Medium yellow-gold. Aromas and flavors of orange rind, lemon custard, pear and cinnamon are complicated by vanilla and a hint of lemony botrytis. Tactile and light on its feet, with bright acidity giving focus to the gooseberry, tropical fruit and flint flavors. Finishes very long, with intense lemon and spice notes. About 15% of the berries were hit by noble rot. Lovely VT. Ian D'Agata. |
|
|
2009 |
Pinot Gris Altenbourg Trie Speciale VT (375 ML) |
$100 |
6 |
|
| |
WA 94 (8/2014): The Weinbach 2009 Pinot Gris Altenbourg Vendange Tardive Trie Speciale features caramel apple, mango chutney, and liquefied heliotrope and lily in a flamboyant display of ennobled fruit concentration, decadent perfume, and spice. Seamlessly polished, it pours out generous sheer botrytis honey on a creamy, expansive mid-palate and prodigiously, seductively sustained finish. Crystallized ginger offers stimulating counterpoint in a superb performance likely to merit revisiting through at least 2035.
VM 93 (11/2012): Bright golden yellow. Very intense aromas of passion fruit, strawberry, truffle and caramel apple. Rich and thick on the palate but with fresh acidity framing and extending the ripe citrus, tropical fruit and smoky creme brulee flavors through a very long, creamy finish. Thistastes likean almost SGN-level VT without muchbotrytis, but the numbers--116.5 g/l residual sugar and 6.1 g/l total acidity--do not prepare the taster for its massive mouthfeel. |
|
|
2004 |
Riesling Grand Cru Schlossberg SGN (375 ML) |
$127.50 |
1 |
|
| |
VM 96 (12/2006): Racy, spicy, rot-ennobled aromas of fresh pineapple, crystallized citrus peel, orange marmalade and honey. Glyceral-thick and silky on entry, then the bracing acids take over the palate, giving extraordinary intensity and penetration to this exhilarating wine. A great expression of pure botrytis, with a mounting, palate-staining finish that goes on for minutes. This will make for great drinking over the next 20 years. This one hit my G-spot. Stephen Tanzer.
WA 95 (3/2017): Served during a dinner at the Auberge de l'Ill in June 2016, the 2004 Riesling Schlossberg Sélection de Grains Nobles showed a very clear and precise, yet subtle and elegant bouquet that still reflected the Schlossberg terroir. This was also the case on the palate, where it wasn't the sweetness and concentration of the Riesling that was the most fascinating feature, but instead the great finesse, freshness and mineral piquancy. This SGN is full of intensity and tension, and the long and persistent finish reveals a stimulating grip. |
|
| Klipfel |
2010 |
Pinot Gris Grand Cru Kirchberg de Barr (375 ML) |
$25 |
19 |
|
| |
|
|
2003 |
Riesling Grand Cru Kastelberg (375 ML) |
$19.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2004 |
Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg (375 ML) |
$19.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
|
2004 |
Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg (375 ML) Torn Label; Gold Capsule |
$19.99 |
10 |
|
| |
|
|
2004 |
Riesling Grand Cru Kirchberg (375 ML) Torn Label; Blue Capsule |
$19.99 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| Lucien Albrecht |
2007 |
Riesling Vendanges Tardives (375 ML) |
$35 |
2 |
|
| |
|
| | Loire |
| Domaine des Baumard |
2006 |
Quarts de Chaume (375 ML) |
$45 |
2 |
|
| |
| VM 92 (5/2010): Light gold. High-pitched aromas of lemon, green apple and nectarine, with a floral honey quality that gains strength in the glass. Plump orchard and pit fruit nectar flavors are underscored by tangy citrus and mineral notes that buffer the sweetness and add verve. Plenty sweet but the underlying minerality contributes refreshing cut and extends the floral-dominated finish. I really like this wine's blend of sweetness and vivacity. Josh Raynolds. |
|
| | Germany |
| Jakob Gerhardt |
2002 |
Dienheimer Tafelstein Silvaner Eiswein (375 ML) |
$35 |
3 |
|
| |
|
| Kruger Rumpf |
2002 |
Munsterer Pittersberg Riesling Eiswein (375 ML) Signs of Old Seepage |
$69 |
1 |
|
| |
|
| Schafer-Frohlich |
2021 |
Felseneck Riesling Auslese (375 ML) |
$39.99 |
11 |
|
| |
|
|
2022 |
Felseneck Riesling Auslese (375 ML) |
$49.99 |
6 |
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| Weingut Forstmeister Geltz Erben Zilliken |
2005 |
Saarburger Rausch Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (375 ML) |
$1,400 |
1 |
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| Weingut Peter Terges |
1983 |
Trierer Deutschherrenberg Riesling Eiswein (375 ML) Signs of Old Seepage; Bin-Soiled Label; Lightly Scuffed Label |
$195 |
1 |
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| Weingut Reinhard und Beate Knebel |
2001 |
Winninger Rottgen Riesling Auslese (375 ML) Lightly Tattered Label |
$175 |
3 |
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| Willi Schaefer |
2003 |
Graacher Domprobst Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel (375 ML) Signs of Seepage |
$49 |
1 |
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| | Port |
| Croft |
2000 |
Port (375 ML) |
$35 |
4 |
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VM 91+ (2/2003): ) Bright medium ruby. Vibrant aromas of blueberry, graphite and violet. Suave, sweet and very firmly built; still a bit youthfuly clenched but concentrated, intensely fruity and stylish. This is structured to develop slowly in bottle. Seemed to grow longer as it opened in the glass. Like a mini-Taylor.
WA 90 (10/2002): A striking, individualistic nose of spring flowers, blackberries, blueberries, and lead pencil shavings emerges from this saturated purple-colored 2000. Evolved yet expansive, sweet, and generous, it admirably conceals moderately high tannins under a wealth of fruit and glycerin. The aromatic profile and attack merit a score in the mid-nineties, but the finish is short, thus lowering the overall rating. My instincts suggest there is more to this port than it revealed the days I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2025? |
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| | USA Red |
| Araujo Estate |
2008 |
Eisele Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (375 ML) |
$150 |
1 |
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WA 97+ (12/2011): The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard is breathtaking. Everything is in the right place in this dazzling, superb Cabernet Sauvignon. Layers of dark fruit, plums, camphor, licorice and espresso emerge from this effortless, gracious wine. The integration of fruit, tannin and French oak (100% new) is simply phenomenal. There is a dark, brooding quality to the 2008 that is immensely appealing. This is a stunning wine from Araujo. The 2008 is 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Cabernet Franc and 4% Petit Verdot. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028.
JS 96 (2/2011): This is very aromatic, with mint, bay leaves, laurel, lavender, raspberry, and currants. Fruit at the forefront but restrained. Wonderful fruit with a vanilla bean, floral, and blueberry after taste. This is exciting stuff with loads of energy. A nice combination of the power of 2007 and the complexity of 2006.
VM 94+ (6/2011): (89% cabernet sauvignon, 6.6% cabernet franc and 4.4% petit verdot): Ruby-red. Reticent but pure aromas of black cherry, black tea and flowers. Densely packed and youthfully tight, with juicy, high-pitched flavors of sweet dark fruits, leather and licorice. At once lush and perfumed, showing lovely vibrancy for a wine from this hot site. The long, building finish displays the firm tannic structure for a graceful evolution in bottle. This has turned out very well. |
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2009 |
Eisele Vyd. Cabernet Sauvignon (375 ML) |
$125 |
1 |
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VM 95 (5/2012): (bottled in September of 2011; 99% cabernet with homeopathic doses of cabernet and petit verdot): Dark red-ruby. Musky, deep nose offers crushed blackberry, cassis, graphite and coffee. Wonderfully sweet and rich, displaying an uncanny combination of textural thickness and verve. Strong crushed rock minerality gives this beauty an extremely youthful quality. The very long, palate-staining finish features big but suave tannins and Outstanding harmoniousness. The pH of 3.73 is "not too high" for this consistently superb wine, says winemaker Nigel Kinsman.
WA 94-97 (12/2010): From a cooler year, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Eisele Vineyard was completely harvested before the rains arrived. It should be a normal blend of 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. More chocolate aromas appear in the wine’s perfume as well as notes of flowers, cassis and crushed rocks. Medium to full-bodied with striking purity and a seamless, well-formed style, this beauty is, surprisingly, potentially better than the 2007. Moreover, the 2009 should drink well early on and last for 20-25+ years.
JS 93-94 (7/2011): This is just one component of the final blend. It is a vineyard that was planted in 1964. It is block 3, and it was always i the Eisele Vineyards and it went into the 1971 Ridge and 1974 Conn Creek. Joe used to call it gold. This is full bodied and rich with a beautiful sea shell and olive character. Very fine on the palate with chewy tannins. Complex and beautiful, with loads going on. |
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| Marietta Cellars |
NV |
Lot Number Two California Port (375 ML) |
$23.99 |
1 |
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| Ridge Vineyards |
2003 |
Monte Bello (375 ML) |
$129 |
3 |
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WA 94+ (6/2013): One of the smallest crops to be included in the Ridge Monte Bello, only 32% of the production made it into the 2003, which is largely Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) and the rest Merlot and Petit Verdot. Out of barrel as well as post-bottling I liked this wine a lot, and it has changed very little from when I last tasted it in February, 2010. It boasts an inky/blue/purple color along with sweet black currant, blueberry, graphite, licorice and toasty vanillin aromas. The tannins are still noticeable in this full-bodied 2003, but seem reasonably well-integrated. Forget this wine for another decade and drink it over the following 30+ years.
VM 92+ (10/2006): (85% cabernet sauvignon, 8% merlot and 7% petit verdot) Full ruby-red. Knockout nose offers blackberry, currant, plum, cedar, minerals and dark chocolate. Fresh, succulent and quite firm in the mouth, with brisk acids and a minty nuance lifting the dark berry and chocolate flavors. Finishes with chewy tannins that come across as a bit less harmonious than those of the young 2004. But this youthfully closed wine grew sweeter with aeration. |
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| Rubicon |
2007 |
Estate Rubicon Proprietary blend (375 ML) |
$39 |
2 |
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| | USA White |
| Kenzo Estate |
2020 |
Asatsuyu Sauvignon Blanc (375 ML) |
$41.65 |
7 |
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| WA 91+ (11/2021): Composed of 96% Sauvignon Blanc and 4% Semillon, the 2020 Sauvignon Blanc Asatsuyu bursts with vibrant lemon curd, fresh grapefruit and white peach scents plus hints of dill seed, chopped herbs and lime blossoms. Medium-bodied, intense and delicately styled, the palate delivers a restrained, quiet intensity and long, zesty finish. |
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2020 |
Muku White Wine (375 ML) |
$41.65 |
3 |
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| Pontin Del Roza |
2008 |
Yakima Valley Pinot Gris Icewine (375 ML) |
$25 |
1 |
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| Sine Qua Non |
2012 |
Shackled Petit Manseng (375 ML) |
$225 |
2 |
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| | Other White |
| Kracher |
1998 |
TBA #2 Nouvelle Vague Chardonnay (375 ML) Lightly Bin-Soiled Label |
$50 |
1 |
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1999 |
TBA #6 Nouvelle Vague Grande Cuvee (375 ML) Bin-Soiled Label; Signs of Seepage |
$65 |
1 |
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| WA 96 (6/2002): The aromatically demure 1999 #6 Grande Cuvee Nouvelle Vague Trockenbeerenauslese has the texture of 10-W-40 motor oil, yet has exquisite balance. Tangy peaches, apricots, butter, and tropical fruits can be found in this prodigious wine's personality. Projected maturity: 2005-2030+. |
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1999 |
TBA #7 Nouvelle Vague Chardonnay (375 ML) Bin-Soiled Label |
$55 |
1 |
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| VM ** (1/2003): With only around 10% alcohol (like the #6), this is extraordinarily creamy and rich even by Kracher standards, yet has an integration of fresh citrus, a smooth sedate palate personality, and a delicacy of touch that #6 misses. Apple jelly, baked peach, blood orange and brown spices abound in the finish. Subtle suggestions of fruit pit bitterness add interest and counterpoint to the sweetness. 2 stars. David Schildknecht |
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| | Bordeaux Red |
| Ch. Haut Bages Averous |
2000 |
Ch. Haut Bages Averous Pauillac (375 ML) |
$39 |
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| La Chapelle de La Mission Haut Brion |
2016 |
La Chapelle de La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan (375 ML) Ex-Negociant |
$49 |
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| | Bordeaux White |
| Ch. d' Yquem |
2020 |
Ch. d’ Yquem Sauternes (375 ML) |
$170 |
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| | Germany |
| Verwaltung der Staatlichen Weinbaudomanen Trier |
1983 |
Verwaltung der Staatlichen Weinbaudomanen Trier Avelsbacher Hammerstein Riesling Eiswein (375 ML) |
$159 |
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| Weingut Gysler |
1990 |
Weingut Gysler Weinheimer Kapellenberg Huxelrebe Trockenbeerenauslese (375 ML) Slightly Depressed Cork; Heavily Bin-Soiled Label; Scuffed Label |
$20 |
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1990 |
Weingut Gysler Weinheimer Kapellenberg Huxelrebe Trockenbeerenauslese (375 ML) Slightly Depressed Cork; Signs of Old Seepage; Bin-Soiled Label; Scuffed Label |
$20 |
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Sold Out
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| | USA Red |
| Rhys |
2012 |
Rhys Alpine Vyd. Pinot Noir (375 ML) |
$39 |
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Sold Out
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2012 |
Rhys San Mateo County Pinot Noir (375 ML) |
$35 |
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| | Other White |
| Kracher |
2000 |
Kracher TBA #7 Nouvelle Vague Chardonnay (375 ML) |
$59 |
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