Roederer’s most famous wine was created in 1876 to satisfy the demanding tastes of Tsar Alexander II. Particularly fond of the House’s wine, the emperor asked Louis Roederer to reserve the best cuvee for him every year. To distinguish this cuvee, this exceptional champagne came in a flat-bottomed, transparent lead-crystal bottle. The new brand was named after this precious material, which is particularly transparent and luminous.

Produced only during the best vintage years, when the Chardonnay (around 40%) and Pinot Noir (around 60%) grapes have attained perfect maturity, Cristal is aged for 6 years in Louis Roederer’s cellars and left for a further 8 months after degorgement.

Cristal is a remarkably balanced and refined champagne whose length is inimitable. It has a silky texture and fruity aromas, complemented by a powerful mineral quality with white fruit and citrus notes. Cristal is a wine that keeps well: it can be aged for over twenty years without losing its freshness and character.

The 2016 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne is a vintage that has garnered high praise across the board from esteemed wine critics. This Champagne blend, crafted from 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay, showcases a harmonious balance between richness and freshness, with a nod to classicism.

James Suckling gave this vintage a near-perfect score of 98, lauding its "wonderfully pure fruit aromas" and the seamless integration of flavors such as peaches, Asian pears, and golden apples. He noted the "salty and creamy" finish, highlighting the wine's concentrated yet gentle nature.

Jeb Dunnuck also awarded the 2016 Cristal a score of 98, describing it as "transparent and complex" with "lovely aromas of fresh flowers." He emphasized its "shimmering and electric" quality, with a concentrated, chalky profile and a promise of further development with time.

Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss praised the wine's "stunning balance and poise," giving it a score of 98. He mentioned its potential to age well for at least 20 years, thanks to its pure white fruit and honeysuckle aroma.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate awarded a score of 97, appreciating its "taut, incisive" nature and advising patience for its tightly wound profile to develop over time. Similarly, Decanter also gave it a 97, noting its "airy, flowing delicacy and persistence" which could rival sought-after releases from previous years.

Wine Spectator and Vinous both rated the wine at 96, with Wine Spectator highlighting its "pronounced minerality" and "beautiful integration," while Vinous appreciated its "understated, wonderfully refined" character.

Overall, the 2016 Louis Roederer Cristal is a remarkable vintage, recognized for its elegance, complexity, and aging potential, promising to stand alongside some of the best releases in recent years.