Cristal 2016
CRISTAL 2016
A vintage of perfect harmony for a Cristal of balance and substance.
A timeless estate
In this vineyard dedicated to the crafting of Cristal Champagne, consistency lies in careful adaptation each year. Depending on the weather and the growing cycle, only the highest quality plots are chosen for the final blend to capture the essence of Cristal, its beating heart and its most authentic self.
These outstanding “lieux-dits” have been carefully and patiently built up by successive generations at the helm of the Louis Roederer Champagne House since 1841. They are worked using a bespoke and traditional winegrowing approach that respects the living environment, using eco-friendly practices that include massal selection, gentle pruning and allowing the land to lie fallow for long periods. These methods are inspired by the principles of permaculture, in which the ecosystem adjusts its balance thereby creating a close bond between Man and Nature.
Cristal is a terroir-driven champagne, crafted by artisans, and sourced exclusively from the estate of the same name, which is cultivated using organic methods.
A wine born from the soil yet embracing the light
Cristal's identity is unique, original and truly unlike any other in the history of fine champagne. It is a wine of the soil, a wine of depth, a wine of the land yet embracing the light, a wine that continues to reveal the many facets of its crafting and personality as it ages.
It is a wine rooted in the eternal, that of the seasons, a ripening cycle, a heritage and a quest. The quest is for excellence, purity and harmony: to create a wine that vibrates in tune with its terroir and mirrors its qualities.
A vintage of perfect harmony
2016 resulted in an unexpected and unprecedented harmony, a balance that is ideal for Cristal, combining its sunny nature with its terrestrial roots. This subtle interplay between sky and earth thus reflects a perfect proportion between the intensity of the aromas forged by the summer heat, the vibrations of the wine, and its juicy, saline weave, nourished by the unique chalky and limestone-rich soils.
Cristal 2016 is a return to the near-perfect balance of those mature, well-honed years, following in the footsteps of Champagne's finest vintages – such as the fabulous and unforgettable 2002, 2008 and 2012 - with a new and exciting rendition. This vintage gifted us pure, well-structured wines, further elevated by supreme freshness and precision.
