2016 Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut 750ml Original Presentation Box

Overview

Louis Roederer Cristal is the House’s prestige cuvée, produced only in exceptional vintages. The 2016 release brings together the ripe, silky character of Pinot Noir with the chiselled, saline precision of Chardonnay, creating a Champagne of remarkable purity, concentration and ageing potential.

Vintage

The 2016 growing season was marked by pronounced contrasts. A cool, wet and relatively late spring was followed by a warm, dry summer, including a late-August heatwave, before dry and sunny conditions during harvest. Pinot Noir thrived in these conditions, developing intense fruit and a silky texture, while Chardonnay retained a more chiselled and saline character.

Vineyard & Winemaking

Cristal 2016 was produced from 32 vineyard plots across Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Cramant. The blend comprises 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay. 31% of the wine was vinified in oak, with no malolactic fermentation. Dosage is 7 g/L, and harvest took place from 15 September to 1 October 2016.

Producer Tasting Notes

Bright, shiny yellow hue. Magnificent fine, slow-moving bubbles. The bouquet is intense, deep and precise, combining scents of white flowers (acacia), concentrated, roasted citrus (lemons) and ripe yellow fruit (peaches, mirabelle plums).

After a few minutes, subtle iodised, powdery and roasted overtones emerge, the result of the autolysis of the yeasts during the “sur lattes” ageing process. On the palate, there is an immediate impression, soft and delicate, more accessible than ever!

The bubbles are tactile, perfectly integrated and almost salty. Wheat and oyster shell notes are the signature of the slow and late ripening great Chardonnays. The substance is powdery, grainy and deliciously chocolatey.

The wine is crisp, saline and iodised, with a long, chalky, crystalline finish that lingers and builds to a crescendo. The overall impression is one of refinement, sapidity and purity. Cristal 2016 is pure, delicate and concentrated.

Critic Reviews

99/100 — Falstaff
“Light golden yellow, silver reflections, fine, persistent mousse. Delicate nuances of fresh lime, white tropical fruit, floral aromas, a hint of green apple; conveys cool, attractive freshness. Taut, already full of chalky salinity on the palate, finely-meshed, notes of vineyard peach, very lively, lemony touch, salty finish, a complex food wine with good ageing potential.”
Tasted October 2025

98/100 — Wine Enthusiast
“This iconic Champagne… shows its typical stunning balance and poise between richness and concentration. It has a pure white fruit and honeysuckle aroma and tight, tangy fresh fruit flavors.”
Tasted December 2024

97/100 — Decanter
Tasted October 2024

96/100 — Robert Parker The Wine Advocate
Tasted April 2025

96/100 — Wine Spectator
Tasted December 2024

Specifications

• Vintage: 2016
• Producer: Louis Roederer
• Cuvée: Cristal
• Country: France
• Region: Champagne
• Grape Varieties: 58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay
• Wine Style: Sparkling
• Sweetness: Brut / Dry
• Alcohol: 12.5%
• Dosage: 7 g/L
• Vineyard Plots: 32
• Wine in Oak: 31%
• Malolactic Fermentation: 0%
• Harvest: 15 September–1 October 2016
• Drinking Window: 2025–2060