We are delighted to offer single bottles and 6x75cl cases of 97 points scoring Cristal 2006 and Louis Roederer Brut NV, in beautiful gift boxes delivered in time for Christmas. Including VAT and duty a single bottle of Cristal 2006 is available for £117.16 while the Louis Roederer NV offers incredible value for £26.16 per bottle.
The world’s leading critics have now tasted Cristal 2006 vintage and it is a triumph receiving some of the highest scores of any Champagne, ever! Richard Juhlin has placed it amongst the greatest young wines he has ever tasted. Antonio Galloni has also awarded it 97 points, which taken together, means it has a higher aggregate score than the 2004, 2002 and 1996 vintages and equals the 1990. Cristal 2006 is one of the finest in history. The weather was warm throughout the summer in 2006, creating beautifully concentrated grapes. A cold and somewhat rainy August helped the grapes retain freshness and a backbone of acidity, while a dry and warm September provided near perfect conditions for the harvest.
Cristal boasts the renowned flat-bottomed ‘crystal’ bottle, covered in an anti-UV cellophane wrapper. The gold label was created in 1876 for Alexander II of Russia and is considered to be the first ever prestige cuvee. Fearing assassination, the Tsar asked (read: ordered) that the Champagne bottles for his ‘Three Emperors’ dinner be made clear, so he could see the bubbles and a flat bottom to prevent a bomb being hidden in it: the result was Cristal. Cristal only produces 25,000 to 32,000 cases, or 300,000 to 400,000 bottles per vintage.
Cristal exhibits wonderful complexity of flavour, magnificent concentration of fruit and a wonderfully balanced finish that continues for over a minute; it also improves for decades in bottle and is at its most precocious after 20-25 years. Cristal therefore has an unusual position in the market; it is considered by Champagne drinkers and critics to be the acme of prestige Champagne, selling out to collectors quickly, yet also rides the crest of ostentatious revelry, taking pride of place in nightclubs and bars around the world.
The quality of Louis Roederer’s Cristal extends to their Premier Brut NV, which in turn is one of the foremost non-vintage Champagnes. Antonio Galloni’s website Vinous describes it as ‘consistently among the very best big-house “basic” NV Champagnes’. We agree, it is exceptionally well made and offers the kind of refined flavours and mousse you would expect from a more expensive vintage Champagne, this is offered cheapest in the UK market.
Cristal 2006 1x75cl- £95 IB or £117.16 incl duty and VAT
Cristal 2006 6x75cl- £570 IB or £702.94 incl duty and VAT
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media – 97 Points
Broad, ample and resonant on the palate, the 2006 Cristal dazzles with its pure richness and volume. Readers need to give the 2006 another 4-5 years in bottle, perhaps longer, as the wine appears to be shutting down a bit. Tasted next to the 2002, today the 2006 is a bit less opulent but just as intense, layered and deep. This is a fabulous showing. 10,000 cases imported in the US.
Louis Roederer Premier Brut NV 6x75cl – £115 IB or £156.94 incl duty and VAT
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media – 91 Points
Roughly 60% pinot noir, 30% chardonnay and 10% pinot meunier; L037415C108930): Bright yellow-gold. Mineral-accented lemon curd and green apple on the nose, with a spicy topnote. Penetrating and dry on entry, then fleshier in the mid-palate, offering intense orchard fruit and buttered toast flavors with a touch of bitter cherry pit. Shows impressive focus and lift on the taut, stony finish, which features a suave floral quality. This bottling is consistently among the very best big-house “basic” NV Champagnes.
(All Available in Gift Boxes)
Orders Must be Placed by Wednesday to Ensure Delivery for Christmas
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