To the eye, lively, uninterrupted bubbles, with a steady creamy flow.

On the nose, an intensely elegant, rich, ripe bouquet. A succession of white fruits (apple), ripe and juicier yellow fruits (peaches) and slightly sour citrus fruits (mandarin oranges). The quite typical Chardonnay notes appear after a few minutes: white flowers (acacia), dried fruit, buttery caramel hints, suggestive of almost vanilla-like pastries. The bouquet is striking: its has great aromatic freshness but is already very open and mature.

In the mouth, the bite is full-bodied, soft and winey. It gives a well-rounded, almost smooth impression with ripe sun-drenched white and yellow fruits. The flavours are typical of Chardonnay: accessible, rich, fleshy fruit combined with warm, almost buttery hints. The measured bubbles and fresh limestone quality ‘stretch’ in the mouth, giving a pure, graceful impression. The finish is slightly tighter with a delicious, lingering, sensuous and almost sweet taste.

This Cristal 2005 stands out from all other Cristal vintages due to its aromatic openness and typical “Chardonnay” character. The ripe 2005 grapes produced wines of a unique nature, combining wininess with long-lasting quality, elegance and consistency. It is even reminiscent of a few Burgundy-like delights.

55% Pinot noir – 45% Chardonnay – 20% wines matured in wood (oak barrels) with weekly batonnage – no malolactic fermentation.

Cristal is made from grands crus from the Montagne de Reims, the Marne Valley and the Côte des Blancs. Matured for an average of 5 years in the cellars, it is left to rest for 8 months after disgorging to complete its maturation.

Dosage: adapted to each vintage, at between 8 and 10 g/l.

The strength and finesse of Cristal are perfectly suited to delicate foods.  It is a flattering accompaniment to caviar, fish and shellfish such as scallops, John Dory, lobster and crayfish.

Serve at a temperature of 46°F to 50°F. The strength and finesse of Cristal are perfectly suited to delicate foods. It is a flattering accompaniment to caviar, fish and shellfish such as scallops, John Dory, lobster and crayfish.

(L036332A109909): Bright yellow-gold. Heady floral-accented citrus and orchard fruits on the nose, with smoky mineral and floral overtones adding complexity. Velvety and chewy in texture, offering deep, juicy orange and poached pear flavours and suave honey and chamomile nuances. Blends precision with power, finishing with a distinct mineral quality and excellent persistence.

— Josh Raynolds

94/100 (November 2012)

The 2005 Brut Cristal stands out for its exceptional inner perfume and elegance. Soft, delicate and pretty, the 2005 is relatively immediate Cristal with all of the signatures very much in the right place. The 2005 doesn’t have the opulence of the 2002 nor the focus of the 2004, but it is a very pretty, if somewhat small-scaled version of this iconic Champagne. I would drink the 2005 while the 2002 and 2004 age. Although Cristal has an impeccable track record when it comes to aging, personally I would not push it with the 2005.

— Antonio Galloni

92/100 (October 2012)

The 2005 Cristal is ready to drink now and in optimum time window, lovely citric, orange, pear tastes hit at first taste as a wonderful and typical smoothness of Cristal quickly continues. For such a challenging and complicated year 2005 showed what a wonderful job Louis Roederer did in this extremely underrated Vintage. Having tasted this Blind at the Luxurious Marbella Club Hotel in 2014 it was one of my favourite Champagnes together with the Salon 1999 Vintage. Paired with Smoked Salmon, Jamon de Bellota, Tempura prawn, and various canapes was very fitting. That classic precise smoothness and minerality is what was left lingering apart from a very vinous complex and colour.

— Alex_Champagne

94/100 (January 2014)