2009 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut, Champagne

A salmon pink hue with bright golden tints. A persistent stream of fine bubbles. A summery bouquet of fresh fruit, with the right balance of sweetness and acidity (red currants and vine peach). The Pinot Noir’s concentration and maturity adds distinctive notes of ‘fruit liqueur’ (raspberry) and aromas of roasted almonds and gingerbread. The attack is voluptuous—it is both intense and amazingly light; a concentrated blend of fruit based on chalky freshness and firm, but well-integrated tannins that strengthen the wine’s precision and appeal. The ensemble is very harmonious, beautifully integrated, and gives an impression of natural fullness, which is both refined and profound.