France • Champagne • Grands Crus • Chardonnay & Pinot Noir • Louis Roederer • Vintage Brut • 75cl Bottle • With original box

Cristal 1988 – Louis Roederer (with original presentation box)

Cristal 1988 represents one of the most refined and accomplished expressions of age-worthy Champagne. From a structured and highly regarded vintage, it combines maturity, tension and depth in a style that is both complex and elegantly composed.

Overview

Cristal is the flagship prestige cuvée of Louis Roederer, originally created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II. Produced only in outstanding vintages, it is sourced from a meticulous selection of the finest Champagne vineyards, predominantly classified as Grands Crus, where chalky soils impart precision, elegance and exceptional ageing potential.

The blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir achieves a remarkable balance between finesse, energy and structure. True to the house style, Cristal emphasizes purity, refinement and luminosity rather than power or opulence.

The 1988 vintage stands among the great classical years in Champagne. More linear and structured than neighboring vintages, it produced wines of remarkable tension and longevity. In Cristal, this natural backbone has evolved into a harmonious and layered expression, now showing the full complexity of maturity.

Presented here in a 75cl bottle with its original box, this cuvée also holds strong appeal for collectors. It combines heritage, prestige and elegance in a highly desirable format for both cellaring and special occasions.

Tasting Notes

Nose:
The bouquet is deep and evolved, revealing notes of brioche, toasted bread, dried fruits, hazelnut and almond, complemented by nuances of honey, beeswax, truffle and refined earthy tones. The overall impression is one of elegance, complexity and composure.

Palate:
The attack retains a fine freshness, characteristic of the vintage, before unfolding into a broad, vinous and perfectly integrated texture. The wine develops with poise and depth, offering a harmonious balance between maturity and tension. A gastronomic style of Cristal, both noble and contemplative.

Finish:
Long, saline and delicately toasty, the finish extends notes of dried fruits, chalk, brioche and honey with refined persistence. A graceful, mature and distinguished conclusion.