Louis Roederer 2006 Cristal Champagne Methuselah 600cl

Louis Roederer Cristal 2006 is a surprising vintage for this Champagne of the Louis Roederer House. It has a plethora of seducing aromas, a sparkling vibration and a true amber reflection. On the nose it opens up with a rich and intense character with candied citrus fruit notes, white flowers and dried nuts. The texture on the mouth is complex with an amazing texture, a perfect balance between the ripeness and the minerality.

Roederer's 2006 Brut Cristal is striking in its sense of lift and delicacy, serving as one of many instances where those bringing preconceptions of this vintage's warmth and ripeness of fruit to their experience may be pleasantly surprised. A nose of fresh apple, fennel and cucumber sets up associations with a slaw or salad that are crisply, lusciously and refreshingly redeemed on the palate. A garland of honeysuckle and heliotrope complements subtle suggestions of raw almond and vanilla, while alkaline and iodine notes as well as cooling but pungent green herbal notes add to the soothing yet stimulating finish. This exceptionally poised, refined, and buoyant performance is apt to gain depth with a few years' bottle age.

Wine Advocate-Parker.