2013 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut - France, Champagne (12/6/2022)
This show stopper is absolutely fanfreakingtastic! The moment you open, there is a melange of citrus, and what I can only describe as sweet mineral aromas wafting from the bottle. If you can smell color that is a way to perceive the initial impressions as well! The wine is fine to look at, gorgeous really. it is pale gold and lipid, clear. While in the mouth… the van attacked with beautifully, fine bubbled citrus, and minerals, and sweet coriander and ever so slight Garam masala like spice tickling the senses, sprinkled(barely) on not too aromatic bread. Also many thoughts of rocks, stones, clay, pebbles! The mouthfeel and swallow are lively, spirited, and really just lovely, with so much dry sweet citrus, apple skin, cherry skin, and minerals galore. This is an exemplar power without weight wine, and one that I can’t wait to drink again with Julie and friends! (98 points)
Love these comparisons. They are all so good. I drank the 2002 last year with a bunch of Berserkers, that too was stupendous! I think a tasting from 2002-2014 is in order!!!
This is good to know. I haven’t had 14. The 2002 and 2013 had some similarities. Depth of fruit and the perception of colors that make me want to write like a mad poet…
I bought '08, '12, '13 in some quantity. Tasted '14 and immediately bought more '13 instead. My current ranking: '13, '08, '12, then '09/'14 about equally. I have no interest in buying verticals of anything any more, rather, I’ll buy more of the vintages that I like best.
For what it’s worth, here is my assessment from back in September of the '12/'13 brut and rose. I don’t emphasize it in this post, but I really think the '12 rose is something special. I had it in '18 a few years before release and I have had a couple of bottles since release and I think it is better than the '08. '13 rose is a lot more brawnier, that brown sugar note threw me off. Still, I would buy the '13 if it is a good price.