Collection: Roederer's 98+ point 2018 Cristal

Straight out the gates this morning is the new release of Cristal 2018, marking a pivotal moment for the most storied prestige cuvée in Champagne. Antonio Galloni gives it 98+, that plus sign hinting at future perfection. Indeed Galloni has a consistent track record of up-scoring Cristal from its release score as the wine develops in bottle.

The 2018 is unlike any Cristal chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon has made before. Faced with elevated ripeness and lower acidity in the vintage, he expanded his parcel selection from the usual 45 to 57, casting his net wider to find freshness and tension. He reduced oak ferments, bottled earlier, and used all his finest Chardonnay lots for Cristal — so completely that no Blanc de Blancs was made that year. Galloni calls the result "positively stunning... linear energy and brilliance... a flavor profile completely different from any Cristal I can remember tasting." 

Cristal has always been a Club favourite, and interest in the 2018 was strong before we even announced it. We have a tight allocation of just 30 cases, with lots of interest from past buyers, so please secure your cases online as soon as possible.