Louis Roederer Cristal Brut 2016
£330.83 (Inc. VAT bot. 75 cl.) / North Ireland
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The finest rendition since 2013, the 2016 Cristal has turned out beautifully. A vintage that Lecaillon describes as “difficult in the vineyards but beautiful in the cellar,” it had suffered slightly in reputation due to the gloomy mood during the challenging growing season, but the results are indeed impressive. The fifth edition produced entirely from organically farmed and certified fruit, and heavily based on Pinot Noir, the 2016 represents the contemporary quality of Cristal, combining the concentration of 2002 with the precision and cut of 2013. Disgorged in July 2024 with a dosage of seven grams per liter, it opens in the glass to reveal a bouquet of lemon zest, white flowers and peeled almond, framed by youthful reduction. On the palate, it is bright and electric, with a pure core of fruit, pinpoint mousse and a textural attack, concluding with a long, saline finish. Drink it alongside the 2015, and it will illuminate its clarity and integration.
Features
Type of wine
Pairings
Style
Occasions
Winery
Size
Appellation
Alcohol
12.0%
Grapes
Serving
Between 10ºC and 12ºC
Winemaking
Minimum ageing of 68 months in bottle.
Description
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut was born in 1876 at the request of Tsar Alexander II, who demanded a pure, transparent champagne without a concave bottom, for both aesthetic and security reasons. Since then, Louis Roederer Cristal Brut has maintained this legacy with a clear vision: to produce a wine that expresses the nobility of the terroir and the energy of time. Made only in exceptional vintages, Louis Roederer Cristal Brut blends 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay from estate-owned vineyards, all Grand Cru, cultivated with biodynamic practices that respect the natural balance of the vine. Chalky soils, ideal exposure and precise viticulture make these Champenois sites a reflection of purity, tension and elegance.
Winemaking
Louis Roederer Cristal Brut is hand harvested in small boxes, with rigorous selection in the vineyard and in the cellar. Fermentation takes place partly in oak foudres, without malolactic fermentation, to preserve the natural freshness of the wine. Louis Roederer Cristal Brut is then aged on its lees for more than six years, giving it volume, creaminess and its characteristic fine mousse. After disgorging, the wine rests for at least eight months before release, allowing it to refine its texture and aromatic complexity. The whole process seeks a balance between structure, finesse and mineral expression.
Taste
From the glass, Louis Roederer Cristal Brut seduces with a precise and luminous nose: acacia blossom, lemon zest, green apple, brioche and hints of light honey. As it opens, notes of hazelnut, pink grapefruit, wet chalk and a delicate salinity emerge. The bubbles are ethereal, creamy, almost tactile. On the palate, it displays a delightful tension between freshness and depth: ripe citrus, white fruits, bread dough, toasted almond and a lingering chalky echo. The vibrant, perfectly integrated acidity adds nerve and defines a long, pure finish with hints of lime peel, white spices and a touch of the sea. It is a champagne that does not seek exuberance, but precision and harmony. Its power is quiet, elegant, with an internal architecture that reveals itself slowly. Louis Roederer Cristal Brut does not shock, it mesmerises. A masterpiece of texture, freshness and balance, ideal for those who seek in wine a serene, profound and absolutely refined experience.
Shipping to North Ireland
50% discount on orders over £352.85Estimated transit time: 4-5 working days.
| Bottles | Price | Over £352.85 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-6 | £11.38 | £5.69 (-£5.69) |
| 7-12 | £15.44 | £7.72 (-£7.72) |
| 13-18 | £21.61 | £10.81 (-£10.81) |
| 19-24 | £29.55 | £14.78 (-£14.78) |
| 25-30 | £34.31 | £17.16 (-£17.16) |
| 31-36 | £38.37 | £19.19 (-£19.19) |
| 37-42 | £46.31 | £23.16 (-£23.16) |
| 43-48 | £50.72 | £25.36 (-£25.36) |
| 49-54 | £57.29 | £28.65 (-£28.65) |
| 55-60 | £61.57 | £30.79 (-£30.79) |
| VAT included | ||
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