Louis Roederer Cristal 300cl 2002

Louis Roederer Cristal 2002 is a vintage prestige-cuvée Champagne produced by the house of Louis Roederer in Reims, France. First created in 1876 for the Tsar of Russia, Cristal is the flagship champagne of Louis Roederer that has become synonymous with luxury. The 2002 vintage – a particularly fine one for Champagne – is available here in celebratory double-magnum format. 2002 is also noteworthy for being the only vintage, except 2015, in which fruit from all 42 Grand and Premier Cru plots reserved for Cristal was used for the wine. "Roederer’s 2002 Cristal, from magnum, is just off the charts. What else is there to say? The magnum format is so well-suited to Champagne. As opposed to still wines, which are just aged in glass, for Champagne, the secondary fermentation takes place in the glass. I am convinced that is a major part of what makes Champagne from magnum (or larger) often so compelling. The texture, breadth and overall pedigree here is just remarkable, with layers of apricot, spice, dried flowers and citrus confit that continue to build over time. The 2002 is neither old nor young; it is quite simply eternal. What a great way to start the night. Wow!" 100 points, Vinous, 2022