CRITIC REVIEWS
William Kelley
A candidate for wine-of-the-vintage honors in Champagne, Roederers 2013 Cristal Rosé is showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with notes of crisp orchard fruit, white flowers, red berries, stone fruit, freshly baked bread and tangerine oil. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, the vintages bright girdling acids are amply cloaked in exuberant, expressive and notably concentrated fruit; so while this Cristal is as tensile and age-worthy as one would expect, its also impressively fleshy and generous given the year. Concluding with an intensely sapid finish, the 2013 isnt as overtly structured as the muscular, tightly wound 2012: rather, its the 2013s alliance of cut and flesh, precision and charm thats so compelling this year. This is another banner vintage for what I consider the reigning champion of the regions tête de cuvée bottlings, and it will be worth an effort to acquire.
James Suckling
Biscuit, white strawberry, peach, pie crust, chalk, pomegranate and pink grapefruit here. Cotton candy, too. Sharp and vibrant, with direct and linear character. Elegant, fine bubbles. Dry and delicate, yet powerful. Drink or hold.