2014 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne [WS98][JD98][WE97][WA96][JS96][D95] WINE

Producer: Louis Roederer  
Region: Champagne, France  
Blend: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay 
Year: 2014  

#10 Wine Spectator Top 100 of 2022 

The 2014 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne is a pinnacle of elegance and finesse. Crafted from a meticulous selection of grapes from 39 plots, the Champagne is 60% Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, with 32% aged in oak, with 7 grams per liter dosage. This vintage sparkles with a radiant golden hue. Critics refer to “classic elegance and purity.” Aromas of citrus flowers, zest, and toasted almond entice the senses. The palate is a symphony of precision and complexity, revealing layers of ripe orchard fruits, brioche, and a subtle mineral undertone. The fine, persistent bubbles dance on the tongue, creating a luxurious and creamy texture. This Cristal Brut Champagne embodies the House of Louis Roederer’s commitment to excellence, showcasing the harmonious marriage of terroir and expertise. A true expression of the 2014 vintage, it promises an unforgettable journey of sophistication and celebration with every effervescent sip.

Wine Spectator, 98 Points 

“This vivid Champagne has upfront and linear definition, thanks to rapierlike acidity, with finely meshed flavors of ripe black cherry and mandarin orange fruit, raw almond, anise and cardamom spice as well as a touch of honeycomb, which all unfurl and expand on the fine, creamy palate. Sleek acidity continues through to the finish, with additional racy character provided by a streak of minerally saline and chalk, which gains momentum through the mid palate and rings out on the well-cut, lasting finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.” 

Jeb Dunnuck, 98 Points 

“Sourced from 39 plots, the 2014 Champagne Cristal is 60% Pinot Noir and the remainder Chardonnay, with 32% aged in oak, and it has 7 grams per liter dosage. It is highly expressive of classic elegance and purity, revealing aromas of crushed rock, almond croissant, and perfume of citrus blossoms. The palate is hyper-refined in its mousse, with pinpoint bubbles, a subtly rounded mid-palate, an irresistible chalky texture, and energy throughout its long and floral finish. Everything about this feels perfectly tailored.” 

Wine Enthusiast, 97 Points 

“Still young, with toast aromas and shining white-fruit flavors, the latest release of Cristal is just setting out. A dry, tight core of intense flavors are shot through with minerality from the pure chalk soil of the 45 individual parcels in the blend. Drink this wine from 2025. Organic.” 

Wine Advocate, 96 Points 

“The 2014 Cristal is a terrific effort that transcends the vintage. Bursting from the glass with expressive aromas of ripe citrus fruit, nectarine, white flowers, freshly baked bread and subtle hints of honeycomb, it’s medium to full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an exuberant core of fruit that’s girdled by racy acids, resulting in a wine that’s simultaneously chiseled and demonstrative, meaning that early appeal doesn’t come at the expense of the requisite tension for long-term cellaring. Concluding with a long, aromatic and intensely chalky finish, it is a brilliant Champagne that will offer a broad drinking window. This bottle was disgorged in June 2021 with seven grams per liter dosage.” 

James Suckling, 96 Points 

“Tons of Amalfi lemon and chalky minerality here plus ripe pear and oyster shell. Quite generous and very expressive on the front- and mid-palates, but the finish is quite sleek and steely. As impressive as this is now it will grow considerably with further bottle age. A cuvee of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, of which a third was fermented in oak. Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. From organically grown grapes.” 

Decanter, 95 Points 

“The rollercoaster growing season of 2014 is reflected to perfection by the innate tension here; ripe citric fruit and even a touch of exoticism (mango and fig) tempered by a fine shard of acidity and a lifted ethereal character, described paradoxically by chef de caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon as ‘weightless density’. Purity, energy and power make for very happy bedfellows, courtesy the chalky terroir and its organic husbandry. The texture is silky, the bubbles joyfully integrated and the finish resourceful and precise, its salinity deferential to the deep-digging roots. Disgorged: June 2021. Dosage: 7g/L.” 

Alcohol: 12% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.