Cristal 2016 -  Champagne Louis Roederer
Cristal
2016

Origins

1/3
Estate
"la Rivière"
1/3
Estate
"la Montagne"
1/3
Estate
"la Côte"

Grape varieties

58%
Pinot noir
42%
Chardonnay

Wines in oak

31%

Harvest

Harvests from 15 September to 1 October 2016

Dosage

7 g/l
Cristal 2016 -  Champagne Louis Roederer

The 2016 vintage was characterised by particularly marked weather variations: spring was cool, wet and relatively late whereas summer was warm and dry with a heatwave in late August followed by dry and sunny weather over the harvest period which was highly beneficial to the ripening of the grapes.

Our Pinot noirs thrived in these dry, sunny conditions and the heat has given them an intensely fruity character and silky smooth texture. The Chardonnays are just as outstanding although more chiselled and saline in character.

Cristal 2016 -  Champagne Louis Roederer

Tasting notes

With juicy, concentrated ripe fruit and lovely iodised and roasted overtones within delicately soft and tactile bubbles, Cristal 2016 is more accessible than ever.

Pure, precise and concentrated, this is the consummate Cristal, combining the soft, caressing texture of the sun-kissed Pinots with the chalky energy of the Chardonnays. The long finish leaves an elegant sensation of infinite grace.

“ Cristal 2016 is quite simply phenomenal! Coming from a cool, late vintage, it reveals a rare, magical balance between intensity of the pure aromas, energetic vibration, juicy palate and saline, chalky finish. The perfect Cristal balance: 50% soil / 50% sun. ”
Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon,
Cellar Master
Cristal 2016 -  Champagne Louis Roederer

Ageing potential

Cristal is an experience unlike any other, crafted in a manner that will allow it to reveal itself very gradually over time. This outsanding champagne grows more glorious with every passing year, gaining in depth, finesse and aromatic complexity. The freshness of its youth evolves progressively to reveal more candied, spicy and saline aromas along with ever more delicated and refined bubbles. It can be enjoyed in the purity and chalky freshness of its youth or can be laid down for a few more years or even decades in a cool, dark cellar, with its oranges cellophane protecting it from light, where it will continue to evolve beautifully over time. This wine has a promising future ahead of it and its destiny is in your hands!


Reviews

The Wine Independent (July 2024)
98+/100
« The palate is very dry and spicy, not needing even a touch more sweetness thanks to the abundance of ripe berry and citrus flavors, delivering beautifully knit acidity and typically tiny, persistent bubbles. It finishes with notes of effervescent chalkiness and saffron flowers, leaving you reaching for another sip. »
James Suckling (Dec. 2024)
98/100