Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne (Millésimé) 2016 750ml

Product Info

96+pts 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. Drink Date: 2027 - 2056

This report covers the recent and forthcoming releases from Louis Roederer, tasted with Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon in Reims earlier this year. Among these is the new Collection 245—a refined introduction to the house's evolving style, it's a reimagined cuvée that has replaced their Brut Premier. The focus of this wine has now shifted to highlighting the base vintage rather than producing a consistently uniform style year after year. Other featured wines include the latest Blanc de Blancs, Brut Vintage and Brut Vintage Rosé and various vintages of Cristal and Cristal Rosé. Among these is an embarrassment of riches from which to select, such as the precise and incisive 2016 Cristal, as well as the extraordinarily pure 2013 Cristal and 2013 Cristal Rosé. Both 2013 releases are now available in magnums (spoiler: they are even more complete than the standard-size bottles, combining intensity with a graceful texture). The Coteaux Champenois continues its upward trajectory, and the 2022 vintage, shaped by a warm and dry growing season, is well worth seeking out as well.

It is difficult to pinpoint what is most impressive about Cristal—the fact that these Champagnes are crafted from meticulously farmed vineyards or that they are produced in volumes that proves high quality is not exclusive to small growers but can also be achieved on a larger scale. Cristal and Cristal Rosé, based on organically certified farming since 2012, continue to deliver outstanding performances, maintaining their reputation as two of the finest cuvées in the Grande Marque category.

While I generally favor a lower dosage—since it can occasionally assert itself on the finish, particularly as the wine warms—Lecaillon emphasizes that this very dosage is what will sustain these Champagnes far into the future. Notably, the dosage has been reduced in recent years, and contemporary vintages exhibit greater clarity than ever before.

Under the stewardship of Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon, who oversees both winemaking and viticulture, Roederer has embarked on what could be described as a viticultural renaissance, which for Roederer means pursuing massal selection, harvesting fully ripened fruit, planting fruit trees and encouraging biodiversity in and around their vineyards, all with the goal of leaving the land in better condition than when they found it. Of Roederer’s 242 hectares, which supply most of their needs, an impressive 50% is now certified organic and is also managed following biodynamic practices. The only cuvée that includes some purchased fruit is the NV Collection. It's worth noting, however, that Cristal Rosé is sourced from only four lieux-dits, while Cristal is informed by approximately 45 plots. The story of each wine is told in greater detail in the accompanying tasting notes.

For more in-depth information on Cristal and the maison’s methodology, I recommend referring to William Kelley’s article, "Champagne: Louis Roederer’s Cristal 1996-2012," in the March 2020 Week 1 issue of The Wine Advocate. Published: Apr 10, 2025 Reviewed by: Kristaps Karklins

The iconic prestige cuvée from Louis Roederer springs from the finest Grand Cru vineyards of Champagne—principally from the Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Côte des Blancs. In 2016, with a blend of 58 % Pinot Noir and 42 % Chardonnay, the house purposefully leaned slightly more into Chardonnay than typical for Cristal. The chalky soils of Champagne—especially the Kimmeridgian limestone and clay in those Grand Cru sites—bring mineral tension, salinity and a sleek structural backbone to the wine. Indeed, reviewers highlight “chalky structuring dry extract” as a hallmark of this vintage. The 2016 growing season was challenging but the result is a wine that marries ripe power (sun) with terroir-driven precision (soil).

Louis Roederer has long emphasized owning and farming its vineyards as well as pursuing organic and biodynamic practices, which further allows the terroir to speak through the wine.

Winemaking & Craftsmanship
For the 2016 vintage, no malolactic fermentation was carried out, preserving natural acidity and vibrancy. About 31 % of the base wines were aged in French oak barrels, adding subtle complexity and layering without burying the pure fruit expression. The dosage is 7 g/L — modest for a prestige cuvée — which further underscores the dry, crystalline style of this release. The wine underwent extended ageing on the lees, contributing to depth, fine mousse and autolytic complexity (notes of brioche, yeast, oyster shell) while the fine bubbles remain elegant and persistent.

Appearance: A brilliant pale gold hue, with ultra‐fine, persistent bubbles that form a delicate, lively mousse.

Aroma (Nose): Opens with citrus zest, white flowers (acacia, almond blossom), subtle pear and mirabelle stone-fruit, followed by hints of toasted hazelnut, brioche, and chalky minerality. Some reviews note saffron, talc and baker’s yeast alongside fresh red berries (raspberry, strawberry) in the background.

Palate: On the palate the 2016 Cristal is remarkably well-balanced: the fruit remains pure and lively (pear, white peach, lemon curd) while the texture delivers a chalky, saline backbone and an almost tactile mousse. Flavours of oyster shell, wet stone, subtle spice, and toasted pastry emerge with excellent length. The finish is long, crystalline and mineral-driven, leaving a clean, refined impression of salinity and structure.

Structure & Ageing Potential: With its taut acidity, minerality and structural depth, this is a Champagne built for the long term. Drink window is typically given as from the late 2020s to mid-2040s (or beyond) to allow full development, though it is already accessible for those seeking expression now.

Serving & Pairing Suggestions

• Serving: Best served at about 9-10 °C (48-50 °F) in a tall tulip or large white wine glass to allow the fine mousse and evolving aromatics to open.
• Food Pairings:
• Ideal with refined seafood: oysters on the half shell, lightly seared scallops, or grilled lobster with lemon-butter.
• White meat with subtle sauces: roasted veal loin, free-range chicken with truffle butter, or pheasant breast.
• Elegant soft cheeses: aged Comté, Reblochon or a mild Époisses.
• For a celebration: serve it with caviar and blinis, or even wow with fine Asian dishes like truffled sushi or miso-glazed black cod.