Cristal 2016

Cristal was created in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II, who every year ordered the house's best wine from Louis Roederer. At his request it was poured into a clear crystal bottle with a flat base, and the wine took its name from that material. Today Roederer (pronounced ROH-duh-rer) makes Cristal only in years when Pinot Noir and Chardonnay ripen fully.

The 2016 vintage is 58% Pinot Noir and 42% Chardonnay from 32 plots, mainly in the villages of Verzenay (pronounced vair-zuh-NAY), Verzy (pronounced vair-ZEE), Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ (pronounced ah-EE), Avize (pronounced a-VEEZ), Le Mesnil-sur-Oger (pronounced luh may-neel syoor oh-zhay) and Cramant (pronounced kra-MAHN). The grapes were picked from 15 September to 1 October 2016. Some 31% of the wine matured in oak, none of it went through malolactic fermentation, and the dosage is 7 g/l. Cristal spends about six years in the house's cellars and then rests for another eight months after disgorgement.

According to the technical sheet, the nose shows acacia blossom, roasted lemon and ripe yellow fruit: peach and mirabelle plum, and after a moment iodine and toasty notes. The sheet describes a palate as soft and juicy as zabaglione, notes of wheat and oyster shell and a long, slightly salty, chalky finish, and calls the vintage itself “simply phenomenal”.

Roederer treats Cristal as a wine for food, not just for a toast, so serve it with fish, seafood or poultry in a delicate sauce. According to the house, Cristal can age for more than twenty years without losing its freshness.