New Cristal 2016 Release, "the result is a classic"

Cristal 2016 has just been released. It’s a winning vintage for the iconic producer so we are pleased to have availability for you today.

Roederer is a phenomenal producer. For expert Richard Juhlin, “this house is one of the four best in all of Champagne. Every vintage is stunning”, and he goes on “Buy all the Roederer wines you come across from the most drinkable address in the world!”. Being at the top of Roederer’s qualitative hierarchy has made Cristal, in Juhlin’s words, “the most sought-after cuvée de prestige.”

In 2016 they’ve made a beautiful wine yet again, with an amazing Wine Advocate score. It rates on par with some of the greats of the century so far.

The 2016 vintage is a blend of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay. There has been no malolactic fermentation in 2016 and 31% of the base wines have been aged in French oak.

According to William Kelley, ‘only 32 of the 45 parcels that are candidates for inclusion in Cristal’s blend made the final cut; but neither the Montagne de Reims nor the Vallée de la Marne predominate, as both had their contribution to make. The result is a classic in the best sense of the term, and one that will offer a long and broad drinking window.’

Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW notes this is a wine that leaves ‘you reaching for another sip’ and awards a 98+ point score.

A wonderful addition to any cellar, we thought you might like to secure a case or two today.

2016 Louis Roederer Cristal

GBP 990 per case (6*75cl OC) in bond

98+ points Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW

The 2016 Cristal is a blend of 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay with 7 grams per liter of dosage. No malo-lactic was performed here, and 31% of the base wines were aged in French oak. The nose begins with bright red berry notes of fresh raspberries and strawberries before opening out to a complex undercurrent of saffron, white chocolate, talc, baker’s yeast, and emerging wafts of citron blossom and pear tart. 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. Drink 2027-2060.

97 points William Kelley

The 2016 Cristal is a taut, incisive rendition of this benchmark bottling, unwinding in the glass with youthfully reserved aromas of citrus oil, white flowers, wet stones and subtle hints of sweet, buttery pastry. Medium to full-bodied, chiseled and racy, it’s almost as electric as the brilliant 2013, with serious concentration, a pure core of fruit, chalky structuring dry extract and a long, intensely mineral finish. Given its tightly wound profile, my advice is to forget it in the cellar for a few years and work on the more open, outgoing 2014 in the meantime. Drink 2026-2055.

96 points Antonio Galloni

The 2016 Cristal is bright, aromatic and nicely lifted. Citrus peel white flowers, mint and a touch of chamomile all grace this understated, wonderfully refined edition of Cristal. Light on its feet and super-refined, the 2016 is exquisite in its understated beauty. I can’t wait to see how the 2016 ages and won’t be surprised it gains a bit of weight in bottle, as Cristal so often does. The blend is 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay, so a touch more Chardonnay than the norm. Of the 45 parcels that make up the Cristal domaine, just 32 were used for the blend. Verzy and Verzenay dominate the Pinots, then Aÿ. Avize takes the lead in the Chardonnays, followed by Mesnil and Cramant. Dosage is 7 grams per liter. Drink 2024-2046.

Offered subject to final confirmation. Available Feb 2025. Offer expires 29th November 2024.