Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 1990

Ratings on Delectable

Alex Lallos Delectable Pro

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

Yummy yummy 90 Cristal in my tummy. Still rocking

Yummy yummy 90 Cristal in my tummy. Still rocking

9.5

Shengli Hu Delectable Pro

Spices, lemon zest, Brioche, vanilla, honey, and minerality. Energetic and lively. Still years ahead of it.

Spices, lemon zest, Brioche, vanilla, honey, and minerality. Energetic and lively. Still years ahead of it.

9.4

Delectable Wine Delectable Pro

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The 1990 Cristal is remarkable. Polished, nuanced and light on its feet, the 1990 is all class. Citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes are wonderfully lifted throughout. A slight reductive note adds character on the finely knit finish. I can’t think of a better way to start this tasting. Simply put, the 1990 is a total rock star. Moreover, it is much more delicate than most wines from this ripe vintage. Amazingly, the 1990 tastes like it is still not ready! “Nineteen ninety was my second vintage here,” says Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. “It was ideal. The fruit was just perfect. We blocked the malolactic fermentation completely and only fermented 6-7% of our lots in oak, as opposed to the more typical 20%, in order to preserve as much freshness as possible. The wine was made by my predecessor, Michel Pansu, but I was learning. This was the first year I started working with oxygen by reducing sulfites in vinification to pre-oxidize the Chardonnay musts, as I do know, which allows me to get rid of all the unstable, oxidative compounds. With Pinot, on the other hand, you need a little bit of sulfur at crush or you lose the brilliant fruit. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018)

The 1990 Cristal is remarkable. Polished, nuanced and light on its feet, the 1990 is all class. Citrus, orchard fruit and floral notes are wonderfully lifted throughout. A slight reductive note adds character on the finely knit finish. I can’t think of a better way to start this tasting. Simply put, the 1990 is a total rock star. Moreover, it is much more delicate than most wines from this ripe vintage. Amazingly, the 1990 tastes like it is still not ready! “Nineteen ninety was my second vintage here,” says Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon. “It was ideal. The fruit was just perfect. We blocked the malolactic fermentation completely and only fermented 6-7% of our lots in oak, as opposed to the more typical 20%, in order to preserve as much freshness as possible. The wine was made by my predecessor, Michel Pansu, but I was learning. This was the first year I started working with oxygen by reducing sulfites in vinification to pre-oxidize the Chardonnay musts, as I do know, which allows me to get rid of all the unstable, oxidative compounds. With Pinot, on the other hand, you need a little bit of sulfur at crush or you lose the brilliant fruit. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, December 2018)

9.7

Nick Apone Delectable Pro

1990 vintage.

1990 vintage.

9.5

Bethany D'Meza Delectable Pro

The last couple of bottles have been a bit off but not this one... a mature champagne but the acidity was in perfect harmony.. honey and lemons

The last couple of bottles have been a bit off but not this one... a mature champagne but the acidity was in perfect harmony.. honey and lemons

9.5

Mike Fifer Delectable Pro

Writer The Wine Monologues

Green apple and nuttiness. Still has great acid but bubbles fading. Still-- a classic.

Green apple and nuttiness. Still has great acid but bubbles fading. Still-- a classic.

9.1

Charles Antin Delectable Pro

Senior Wine Specialist/Auctioneer Zachys

Highlight of the dinner. Singing. Creme brûlée and truffle. Or maybe it was all the truffles.

Highlight of the dinner. Singing. Creme brûlée and truffle. Or maybe it was all the truffles.

9.3

Liz Thach MW Delectable Pro

Still fresh and amazing

Still fresh and amazing

9.2

Caroline Conner Delectable Pro

Gold, raisin brioche slathered with honey, still incredibly bright and unbelievably good

Gold, raisin brioche slathered with honey, still incredibly bright and unbelievably good

10

Sabra Lewis Delectable Pro

The rose. Pleasantly surprised.

The rose. Pleasantly surprised.

9.2

Location

  • 300 Massachusetts Ave NE
    Washington D.C., DC 20002

  • Hours:
    Monday - Saturday
    10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
    Sunday
    11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

WARNING: DRINKING DISTILLED SPIRITS, BEER, COOLERS, WINE AND OTHER ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES MAY INCREASE CANCER RISK, AND, DURING PREGNANCY, CAN CAUSE BIRTH DEFECTS.