To the eye, the color of the 1999 vintage is burnished yellow with gold reflections.

On the nose, the wine opens with the youthful intensity of white flowers, citrus and red berries, followed by warmer notes of toast, chocolate and wood.

In the mouth, shows a mixture of ripe lush fruits (vine peaches) and toasty aromas with a dense and fleshy structure. The silky texture on the mid-palate culminates in a glorious finish.

Founded in 1776 and still under family ownership, Louis Roederer is perhaps most famous for its prestige cuvée, Cristal. The single-estate champagne has long been a favourite among high-profile personalities, in particular in the US. Between 20-30% of the wines are vinified in oak barrels and the final assemblage is matured for six years, followed by a 12-month period of rest for after disgorgement. The 1999 vintage is a blend of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay. It’s a superbly well-balanced expression, brimming with notes of hazelnuts, apricots and apples.

"One of the finest Champagnes I have ever brought to my lips, the 1999 Cristal bursts from the glass with fresh hazelnut and apple scents. Elegant, deep, and silky-textured, this medium to full-bodied beauty is immensely concentrated, pure, packed with apple flavours, and astoundingly long in the finish. Louis Roederer does not display a disgorgement date or consumer friendly lot number on its non-vintage Brut. This is regrettable as it has consistently been one of the finer bottlings in this category. (PR) " (12/2005) - 98 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate