Louis Roederer Cristal 2016 is the latest expression of the house's iconic prestige cuvée, originally crafted in 1876 for Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Sourced exclusively from 32 biodynamically farmed plots across seven Grand Cru villages—Verzenay, Verzy, Beaumont-sur-Vesle, Aÿ, Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Cramant—this vintage reflects the estate's commitment to terroir and meticulous viticulture. The 2016 vintage is characterized by its purity, tension, and remarkable aging potential.
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Bright, shiny yellow hue with fine, slow-moving bubbles.
Aroma: Intense and precise bouquet featuring white flowers (acacia), roasted citrus (lemons), ripe yellow fruits (peaches, mirabelle plums), and subtle iodized, powdery, and roasted overtones from yeast autolysis.
Palate: Soft and delicate entry with concentrated, juicy, and ripe fruit flavors. The tactile bubbles are perfectly integrated, offering a saline and chalky texture. Notes of wheat and oyster shell emerge, leading to a crisp, saline, and iodized finish with a long, chalky, crystalline crescendo.
Serving Suggestions: Cristal 2016 is best enjoyed in a tulip-shaped Champagne glass to fully appreciate its aromatic complexity and fine mousse. Ideal pairings include; Caviar or oysters, Delicate seafood dishes like poached lobster or scallops, Light poultry dishes with creamy sauces & Aged cheeses such as Comté or Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Aging Potential: While approachable now, Cristal 2016 will continue to develop greater complexity & depth over the next two decades, rewarding those who choose to cellar it.
Accolades:
98 Points – James Suckling: "Wonderfully pure fruit aromas... concentrated yet gentle... impressive resolution and integration.
98 Points – Jeb Dunnuck: "Transparent and complex... shimmering and electric wine with fantastic detail.
98 Points – Wine Enthusiast: "Stunning balance and poise between richness and concentration... will age well for at least 20 years.
97 Points – Wine Advocate: "Taut, incisive rendition... serious concentration, pure core of fruit, and a long, intensely mineral finish.
96 Points – Wine Spectator: "Pronounced minerality... beautiful integration and a refined, lacy mousse.
Technical Details:
Bottle Size: 750ml
ABV: 12,5%
Grape Composition: 58% Pinot Noir, 42% Chardonnay.
Vinification: 31% of the base wines are vinified in oak; no malolactic fermentation.
Dosage: 7 g/L.
Harvest Period: September 15th to October 1st, 2016.
Delivery within South Africa:
All orders are delivered from our central warehouse located in Montague Gardens, Western Cape. Local orders are usually delivered in 0-2 working days. Orders outside of Cape Town but within SA are generally delivered within 2-5 working days. If you require expedited delivery, we now offer an Express delivery service, which typically takes 1-3 working days, depending on your area.
While we strive for timely deliveries, there are occasional instances where delays may occur. These are rare but can happen due to unforeseen circumstances.
Delivery Rates:
At checkout, you will be presented with delivery options and corresponding rates. These rates are provided directly by our courier partners and are displayed as is. On rare occasions, a courier may generate an incorrect delivery rate due to issues with the address recognition. In such cases, we will arrange for an alternative courier to deliver your order at a similar rate to the original cost.
We believe in offering transparency in our delivery fees and, as such, do not include any delivery costs in our product pricing. We do not profit from delivery fees.
Third-Party Couriers:
For the majority of our orders, we rely on third-party courier services for delivery. Regular notifications will be sent and on the day of delivery the couriers will notify you via sms, call or email . If the courier is unable to reach you, we will get in touch with you to arrange an alternative solution.
Please note, you will be required to sign upon delivery, and the drivers may request a form of identification.
If there is something wrong with your product, we will gladly issue a full refund of 100% of your purchase amount. To process this, please reach out to us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za as soon as possible, and we will guide you through the refund process.
Order Cancellations:
If you need to cancel your order, simply email us at info@mothercityliquor.co.za, and we’ll assist you with the cancellation process. Please note, cancellations will incur a small fee of 10%, which covers the transaction fees we incur for processing each order. If your order has already been shipped, please be aware that the shipping fee is non-refundable.
Consignment Orders:
We do not offer consignment stock or consignment deals.
Returns:
If you find that there is an issue with your product, you are eligible to return it to us. Here’s how you can initiate the return:
Exceptions to Returns:
Sale or Special Offer Items: Only regular-priced items are eligible for a refund. Unfortunately, items purchased on sale or as part of a special offer cannot be refunded.
