Professional reviews
Robert Parker (94)
Disgorged with six grams per liter dosage after seven years sur lattes and a further seven sur pointe, the 1999 Cristal Vinothéque wafts from the glass with a complex bouquet of dried fruits, clear honey and crushed chalk aromas, complemented by hints of iodine and woodsmoke. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping, with ripe but lively acids and a textural, gourmand profile, concluding with a beautifully defined, elegantly chalky finish.
James Suckling (98)
The nose has such beautiful, autolysis character with brown-mushroom and toasted-almond aromas. The nose has still-fresh lemons and oyster shell, with . Very smooth, pastry-like texture on the palate with even layers and a core of fresh lemons and peaches. The striking thing here is the balance and melted-together complexity. In a very great place. This spent seven years sur latte, seven sur pointe and was disgorged in 2014.
Jancis Robinson (18.50)
To be launched in 2020. Disgorged in 2014. Lécaillon's first vintage as chef de cave. Seven years on latte and seven years sur pointe. When picked it was the lowest acid vintage since 1959, before 2003 came along. 58% Pinot Noir.
Just a bit sweet. But long and rich. (JR)
Vinous (96)
The 1999 Cristal Vinothèque is bright, fresh and wonderfully nuanced. Tasted next to the original release, it shows a bit more freshness and also greater vinous intensity. Tangerine oil, spice, crushed flowers and dried herbs linger. Dosage is 7 grams per liter, as opposed to 9 for the original release. I especially admire its clarity and verve. “It’s the first vintage in which I introduced jetting to remove oxygen in the headspace at bottling. Now I do this on all Cristal,” Lécaillon adds. Disgorged: 2018.
BOW (8.50)
