Tasting Notes
Vinous 99
The 2002 Cristal (magnum) is off the charts. In magnum, the 2002 shows a bit less of the opulence and richness it presents in bottle, which is not at all a bad thing for a vintage that has so much natural exuberance. Creamy and exquisitely layered in the glass, the 2002 is wonderfully expressive today, not to mention incredibly inviting. Dried flowers, mint, Mirabelle and wild flowers give the 2002 captivating inner perfume and tons of sheer allure. This is the original 2009 disgorgement. Dosage is 9 grams per liter, lower than was once the norm here, and the result of a combination of factors including climate change, generally riper fruit and a warm growing season.
Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039
JancisRobinson.com 18.5
Disgorged 2007. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. No malo. Still tense and chalky on the nose. Real finesse and ballerina-like. Lifted. Still very tense. Very neat. According to Lécaillon, all 2002s have some vanilla flavour. Still extremely youthful.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040
Robert Parker 98
“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 Lécaillon, stressing that at that time only two hectares were farmed biodynamically. As a result of the conversion to biodynamic farming, Lécaillon promised himself the production of even more beautiful, vital and balanced wines, and you can feel his satisfaction whenever he speaks of the cuvées 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. Tasted in Reims in May 2018.”
Anticipated maturity: 2018-2050
