Roederer, Louis - Champagner Cristal Brut 2002

JAMES SUCKLING: "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."

FALSTAFF: "Mittleres Grüngelb, Silberreflexe, feines, gut anhaltendes Mousseux. Frischer weißer Apfel unterlegt mit zitronig-floralen Nuancen, dahinter aber stoffige Akkorde von Backwerk und Nüssen, kandierte Orangenzesten, ein Hauch Kakao. Am Gaumen saftig, seidige Textur, feine fruchtsüße Nuancen von Tropenfrucht und weißer Schokolade, finessenreiche Säurestruktur, elegant und lange anhaftend im Abgang, perfekt trinkreif und mit ausgezeichnetem Potenzial ausgestattet."

WINE ENTHUSIAST: "This is an exceptional wine, as is the vintage. The fruits—grapefruit, crisp red apple—balance with a fine yeasty character. There is a great depth of flavor, the fruits going in a pure line of freshness. The one problem is that it is much too young, the result of the demand from the market for the next vintage. Age this wine for at least four years."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: "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 cuvée 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."

WINE SPECTATOR: "A suave customer, with hints of citrus, berry and coffee. Harmonious and refined, with freshness and a bright structure. The finish shows a lot of potential, with a mouthwatering aftertaste. Better than previously reviewed. Drink now through 2030."