To the eye, glittering salmon pink tones and a lively stream of delicate bubbles give this Champagne an incredibly youthful sparkle.

On the nose, the bouquet is intense, rich and heady – summer fruits, mingled with zest of citrus and more complex notes of cedar and sweet, springtime sap. With time in the glass, these develop into nutty scents of fresh almonds and marzipan, then a hint of upside-down apple tart, baked apples and caramel.

In the mouth, the taste is unmistakably soft, with that silkiness that comes from harmonious flavours and concentrated fruit. The attack on the palate is crisp and juicy but with a fleshy, melt-in-the mouth combination of finesse and fruitiness. This is quickly followed by flavours of candied citrus and nuts, counterbalanced by a razor-sharp acidity that highlights the wine’s finesse and crystalline purity.  The rich, fleshy texture persists, bringing warmer notes of white chocolate, gingerbread and toast – exquisitely smooth.

A generous, exquisitely balanced Champagne that perfectly captures the exceptional qualities of the 2002 vintage: concentrated, vinous and intense but with a boatload of finesse and crispness. All in all: proud, opulent and luxurious.

Blend: 60 % Pinot Noir,  40 % Chardonnay

Dosage: 8 to 10 grams of sugar per litre. The “liqueur de dosage” is prepared with the greatest of care from a selected blend of 8 to 10 of the very best crus from the Louis Roederer vineyard and then left to age in oak.

This is fantastic with lobster and beluga caviar, or a gourmet salad: lobster and foie gras. It also works with seared salmon or poached sea trout.

Serve at 12°C

The 2002 Cristal Rosé is one of the most overtly vinous wines in this lineup. Rich, powerful and voluptuous on the palate, the 2002 captures the exuberance of the year in spades. Hard candy, cinnamon, spices, mint and wild flowers wrap around the resonant, opulent finish. A head-turning beauty, the 2002 has really blossomed since I last tasted it a few years ago. It is also the showiest and most exotic wine in this vertical. I imagine the 2002 will reward readers with another 15-20 years of exceptional drinking, perhaps more. There isn’t too much to say, except that this is one of the great wines of the vintage.

— Antonio Galloni

98/100 (May 2015)

The 02 Cristal Rose which was voted World Best Champagne by The World Champagne Championship in 2014 is my favourite Rose of Cristal. Vibrant, extremely fresh, wild red berries and strawberries as you first taste the stunning 02 Rose. As the Champagne opens up & bubbles calm down you are left with a lingering and beautiful fruity taste combined with spice, apples, pastry, and rose scents. My opinion and food pairing this time was French Oysters and Rio Frio Caviar Russian style, followed by a beautiful Lobster Risotto. For desert and to end this epic Champagne was enjoyed with a cheese platter of cured French/Spanish cheeses together with grapes.

— Alex_Champagne

100/100 (January 2016)