97 points Decanter: "Transluscent, shimmering gold indicates a wine of poised ripeness; beautiful scents of orange blossom merge with sense of great chalky terroir. The purity and sublime texture of the mouthfeel owes a lot to non-malolactic winemaking which maintains freshness after the uninterrupted warmth of summer to harvest end. Also it also shows the essential true fruit now and for 20 years to come. Long lingering finish. A great supremely elegant Champagne. Dosage 8 g/l."
97 points and 'Top 100 Cellar Selections 2016 (#38),' Wine Enthusiast: "The latest incarnation of this famous Champagne now comes from Roderer's own vineyards, a good portion of which are run on biodynamic lines. This still-young wine has great depth and richness, a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and crisp texture that make it alive, crisp and bright. As it matures, it will deepen and become even more intense. Drink now if you must, but preferably wait until 2019. Alcohol 12%. (Dec 2016)"
97 points James Suckling: "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. (10/21/16)"
95-97 points Richard Juhlin.
96+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Rich, radiant and totally seductive, the 2009 Cristal possesses remarkable depth and striking purity. I have often felt that Cristal is released too young, but that is not at all the case with the 2009, a Champagne that is absolutely glorious today. The ripeness of the vintage comes through in spades in the wine's luxurious, enveloping personality. I remember tasting the vins clairs and the Cristal blend back in the spring of 2010. The finished wine is every bit as alluring as those early tastings suggested it would be. The 2009 is a superb Cristal in the making. The 2009 blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The percentage of wine aged in oak is 15%, which is down slightly from previous vintages. Drink: 2019-2049. (Aug 2016)"
96 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2009 vintage of Cristal is composed of a blend of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, with none of the vins clairs this year undergoing malolactic fermentation. 16% of the base wines were barrel-fermented this year and the wine was finished off with a dosage of 8g/L. The bouquet shows the generosity of fruit of this warm summer, but coupled with the classic Cristal sense of elegance, as it offers up scents of white peach, apple, patissière, beautifully complex, chalky minerality, a hint of almond and a topnote of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and vibrant, with excellent mid-palate depth, utterly refined mousse, laser-like focus and excellent length and grip on the youthful and very complex finish. This is likely to reach its apogee earlier than many vintages of Cristal, given the Continental warmth of ’09, but the wine is impeccably balanced and it will also age long and very gracefully. Just lovely. 2021-2050. (Sep/Oct 2016)"
96 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "The superb 2008 would always be a hard act to follow (actually, the 2009 was released before 2008). The 2009 is a magnificent Cristal. Slowly building biscuity richness (from Pinot Noir fruit) is emerging on top of the ripe fruit. Attractive aromas of plum, apricot, and creamy walnut mask the lurking austerity on the palate. All of this bodes well for future development, and I predict a long life for this wine. Superb! Drink from 2023-2038. Tasted: February 2023."
96 points Wine & Spirits (Dec 2017).
19/20 points Jancis Robinson: "All grands crus. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Aged for 6 years on the lees. Dosage 8 g/l. Disgorged 2016. Tasted blind. A little more evolved on the nose [than the 2008 tasted alongside] – a bit like white burgundy. Creamy and fine. And layered. Long. Gorgeous. Creamy without being at all fat. Drink between 2018-2030. (11/1/18)"
97 points and 'Top 100 Cellar Selections 2016 (#38),' Wine Enthusiast: "The latest incarnation of this famous Champagne now comes from Roderer's own vineyards, a good portion of which are run on biodynamic lines. This still-young wine has great depth and richness, a beautiful balance between ripe fruit and crisp texture that make it alive, crisp and bright. As it matures, it will deepen and become even more intense. Drink now if you must, but preferably wait until 2019. Alcohol 12%. (Dec 2016)"
97 points James Suckling: "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. (10/21/16)"
95-97 points Richard Juhlin.
96+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Rich, radiant and totally seductive, the 2009 Cristal possesses remarkable depth and striking purity. I have often felt that Cristal is released too young, but that is not at all the case with the 2009, a Champagne that is absolutely glorious today. The ripeness of the vintage comes through in spades in the wine's luxurious, enveloping personality. I remember tasting the vins clairs and the Cristal blend back in the spring of 2010. The finished wine is every bit as alluring as those early tastings suggested it would be. The 2009 is a superb Cristal in the making. The 2009 blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. The percentage of wine aged in oak is 15%, which is down slightly from previous vintages. Drink: 2019-2049. (Aug 2016)"
96 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2009 vintage of Cristal is composed of a blend of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, with none of the vins clairs this year undergoing malolactic fermentation. 16% of the base wines were barrel-fermented this year and the wine was finished off with a dosage of 8g/L. The bouquet shows the generosity of fruit of this warm summer, but coupled with the classic Cristal sense of elegance, as it offers up scents of white peach, apple, patissière, beautifully complex, chalky minerality, a hint of almond and a topnote of spring flowers. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and vibrant, with excellent mid-palate depth, utterly refined mousse, laser-like focus and excellent length and grip on the youthful and very complex finish. This is likely to reach its apogee earlier than many vintages of Cristal, given the Continental warmth of ’09, but the wine is impeccably balanced and it will also age long and very gracefully. Just lovely. 2021-2050. (Sep/Oct 2016)"
96 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "The superb 2008 would always be a hard act to follow (actually, the 2009 was released before 2008). The 2009 is a magnificent Cristal. Slowly building biscuity richness (from Pinot Noir fruit) is emerging on top of the ripe fruit. Attractive aromas of plum, apricot, and creamy walnut mask the lurking austerity on the palate. All of this bodes well for future development, and I predict a long life for this wine. Superb! Drink from 2023-2038. Tasted: February 2023."
96 points Wine & Spirits (Dec 2017).
19/20 points Jancis Robinson: "All grands crus. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay. Aged for 6 years on the lees. Dosage 8 g/l. Disgorged 2016. Tasted blind. A little more evolved on the nose [than the 2008 tasted alongside] – a bit like white burgundy. Creamy and fine. And layered. Long. Gorgeous. Creamy without being at all fat. Drink between 2018-2030. (11/1/18)"
| Product SKU | 339236 |
| Producer | Roederer/Louis |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| SubRegion | Montagne de Reims |
| Varietal | Champagne / Sparkling Blend |
| Designation | Brut |
| Vintage | 2009 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | White |
| Ships To |
