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Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 1988 (3000ml)
In Stock, Crush SKU: 69573
Ratings on Delectable
Greg Koslosky 
Not the best example I have had for the 88 vintage but still enjoyable .
Not the best example I have had for the 88 vintage but still enjoyable .
9.2Greg Koslosky
Out of magnum for our dear friends Christie’s birthday . Incredible power yet elegant and refined . A iron fist in a Velvet glove . Best Cristal I have ever had !
Out of magnum for our dear friends Christie’s birthday . Incredible power yet elegant and refined . A iron fist in a Velvet glove . Best Cristal I have ever had !
9.8
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One of the two or three most moving wines in this vertical, the 1988 Cristal is eternal. Deep and vertical, with Gothic spires of soaring aromatic, flavor and structural intensity, the 1988 has it all. At thirty years of age, the 1988 is fresh, vibrant and incredibly powerful. Lemon peel, white flower, chalk and almonds are all given an extra kick of vibrancy from the bright acids and underlying energy of the vintage. Even after three decades, the 1988 remains searing, classically austere and beautifully focused, with tremendous pedigree and stunning balance. The 1988 is a rare Cristal where the Chardonnay, at 48% of the blend, is on the higher side. “When I joined Roederer in 1989, we were blending the 1988s,” Lécaillon explains. “They were such hard wines to work with because the acidities were so high. My teeth suffered. I thought ‘am I going to have to deal with this for the rest of my life? Maybe I should change jobs?’” Luckily, he did not. “In 1988, flowering was very bad for the Chardonnay. Yields were quite low and flavors were super-intense and concentrated. This, to me, is one of the keys for making great Champagne with real dimension. Interestingly, the same is not true of Pinot Noir. Keep a glass of the 1988 to compare with the 2008 later. In my opinion, 2008 is the new 1988.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018)
One of the two or three most moving wines in this vertical, the 1988 Cristal is eternal. Deep and vertical, with Gothic spires of soaring aromatic, flavor and structural intensity, the 1988 has it all. At thirty years of age, the 1988 is fresh, vibrant and incredibly powerful. Lemon peel, white flower, chalk and almonds are all given an extra kick of vibrancy from the bright acids and underlying energy of the vintage. Even after three decades, the 1988 remains searing, classically austere and beautifully focused, with tremendous pedigree and stunning balance. The 1988 is a rare Cristal where the Chardonnay, at 48% of the blend, is on the higher side. “When I joined Roederer in 1989, we were blending the 1988s,” Lécaillon explains. “They were such hard wines to work with because the acidities were so high. My teeth suffered. I thought ‘am I going to have to deal with this for the rest of my life? Maybe I should change jobs?’” Luckily, he did not. “In 1988, flowering was very bad for the Chardonnay. Yields were quite low and flavors were super-intense and concentrated. This, to me, is one of the keys for making great Champagne with real dimension. Interestingly, the same is not true of Pinot Noir. Keep a glass of the 1988 to compare with the 2008 later. In my opinion, 2008 is the new 1988.” (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018)
9.8Greg Koslosky
A little more advanced then the last time I tasted it . Very good but close to the third phase of life now.
A little more advanced then the last time I tasted it . Very good but close to the third phase of life now.
9.2Greg Koslosky
Explosive bottle incredible !
Explosive bottle incredible !
9.7Marie Stitt
Sales & Marketing Grassroots Wine Wholesalers
1988 out of magnum Xmas -- on point. Rich but acidity still very present
1988 out of magnum Xmas -- on point. Rich but acidity still very present
9.0
Christopher Bates
Master Sommelier, Owner/Winemaker Element Winery
Nice way to start a night!
Nice way to start a night!
9.6
Kevin Jonas
1988 cristal rose magnum
1988 cristal rose magnum
9.6
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