Louis Roederer Cristal 2016 Brut, Champagne, France Jorge Ordóñez Flavors of black cherry compote

Flavors of black cherry compote and black tea are counterpointed by the bitter bite of nettles

peach and spice

with building tannins and a strong echo of cherry liqueur

with ripe tannins

Louis Roederer Cristal 2016 Brut, Champagne, France Jorge Ordóñez Flavors of black cherry compoteThe 2016 Cristal is a blend of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay with 7 grams per liter of dosage. No malo lactic was performed here, and 31% of the base wines were aged in French oak. The nose begins with bright red berry notes of fresh raspberries and strawberries before opening out to a complex undercurrent of saffron, white chocolate, talc, bakers yeast, and emerging wafts of citron blossom and pear tart. The palate is very dry and spicy, not