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Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne Chardonnay Pinot Noir Blend 1990
The 1990 Cristal is a dramatic, sweeping wine endowed with masses of apricots, peaches, flowers and minerals. A large-scaled Cristal, the 1990 combines size with clarity and focus in a remarkably complete style that recalls the 1982. The wine remains generous on the palate, with stunning length and a finish that lasts forever. The 1990 Cristal is 62% Pinot Noir, 38% Chardonnay. Just a small portion of the wine (7-10%) underwent malolactic fermentation. This bottle was disgorged in late 2007 with 8 grams of dosage. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2023. Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Ratings on Delectable
Alex Lallos 
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
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
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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
1990 vintage.
1990 vintage.
9.5Bethany D'Meza
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
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
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.
9.3Liz Thach MW
Still fresh and amazing
Still fresh and amazing
9.2
Caroline Conner
Gold, raisin brioche slathered with honey, still incredibly bright and unbelievably good
Gold, raisin brioche slathered with honey, still incredibly bright and unbelievably good
10Sabra Lewis
The rose. Pleasantly surprised.
The rose. Pleasantly surprised.
9.2
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