Roederer, Louis - Champagner Cristal Brut 2004

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "The 2004 Brut Cristal has put on quite a bit of weight since I first tasted it earlier this year. It is a powerful, structured Cristal layered with considerable fruit. Chardonnay seems to play the leading role in 2004, at least today. Cristal is often accessible young, but that is far from the case here. This is a serious, painfully young Cristal that will require considerable patience. Readers who are willing to spend some time with the wine today will find a super-impressive, complete Cristal. The 2004 Cristal is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. This is Lot L033331E100008, disgorged January, 2010. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034."

WINE SPECTATOR: "Exceptionally rich and dense, an exceptional wine that reveals itself in layers, from the first fruit attack to the mineral texture and the way it gradually fills the mouth. Selected from old vines, there is a great flavor in this wine, with the promise of many years' aging."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Intense nose of lemon curd. Considerable evolution already. Good acidity and a tight bead. This is a very good stage to drink this luxury. (It will be interesting to see how bottles and magnums of the 1996 compare at this Finest Bubble tasting on 8 October 2015.)"