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Louis Roederer Cristal 1996
99/100

Louis Roederer

Cristal 1996 75cl

Pale gold robe with luminous green highlights, fine and persistent effervescence of exceptional elegance. On the nose, a striking complexity: candied citrus, fine patisserie, toasted hazelnut, white flowers and an aristocratic smoky whisper. The palate reveals a vibrant tension carried by a…

THE CUVÉES OF MAISON LOUIS ROEDERER
690,00 € incl. VAT A victim of its own success
1
Notes & tasting

The expert verdict

Discover the score awarded to this cuvée
Presentation
Taste
Originality
Value for money
Main tenant une coupe de champagne
99 /100
Aromatic profile

The structure of this champagne

Four dimensions to capture its balance
Freshness
The brilliant acidity that defines the 1996 vintage, underpinned by a chalky minerality of finely chiselled precision.
Roundness
A creamy, silky texture, beautifully balanced by the natural vivacity of the Grands Crus Pinot Noir.
Power
A broad, deep structure, the hallmark of an anthology vintage of phenomenal maturity.
Length
An exceptionally persistent finish, between candied citrus, biscuit and smoky notes of great nobility.

TASTING NOTES

Pale gold robe with luminous green highlights, fine and persistent effervescence of exceptional elegance. On the nose, a striking complexity: candied citrus, fine patisserie, toasted hazelnut, white flowers and an aristocratic smoky whisper. The palate reveals a vibrant tension carried by a razor-sharp acidity, a creamy texture and an interminable saline finish of biscuit and candied lemon.

Blend & terroirs

The composition

Discover this wine's DNA
Gravure grappe de raisin
8g/LDosage
60%Pinot Noir
40%Chardonnay

Terroirs

A blend of Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs, on deep chalk soils. Vinified with only 3% in oak barrels and 10% malolactic fermentation, the 1996 preserves a vertical tension and a minerality of rare purity.

Louis Roederer

About this house

Founded in 1776 in Reims, Louis Roederer is one of the few great Champagne houses to remain family-owned, with 240 hectares covering nearly 45% of its own supply. This independence of land gives it an uncommon mastery of terroir, from vine to cellar.

The Cristal cuvée was born in 1876 at the request of Tsar Alexander II, who demanded a flat-bottomed crystal-clear bottle — the very symbol of imperial refinement. Released to the general public only in exceptional vintages since 1945, it stands as the pinnacle of excellence at Maison Louis Roederer.

Food pairing

The perfect pairing

Between the champagne and its dish
Aperitif

Aperitif

Its fine bubbles and brilliant minerality make a sublime match for comté gougères — a classic pairing of absolute elegance.

Starter

Starter

The richness and complexity of Cristal 1996 pair magnificently with the silky opulence of foie gras.

Main course

Main course

The aromatic depth and length of the vintage marry gracefully with the intense flavours of truffle-roasted poultry.

Maison Roederer

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Verified reviews

Customer reviews of the “Cristal 1996” cuvée by Louis Roederer

4.8/5 · 19 reviews

Stéphanie N.

Verified customer review

A safe bet

Perfect for a wedding. A lovely, creamy fizz. The follow-up email is a real bonus. Exactly what I was looking for.

Rafael L.

Verified customer review

Excellent

Perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Light, airy and utterly addictive. It’s now my go-to champagne.

Justine A.

Verified customer review

Perfect

Arrived very quickly. Lively on the attack, full-bodied on the palate. Well done.

Hans M.

Verified customer review

Favourite

Perfect for a birthday. Refined, precise and devilishly charming. A real success.

Élodie C.

Verified customer review

Delighted with my purchase

I’ve been a loyal customer for several orders now. Notes of citrus and a hint of brioche – brilliant. The bottle arrived in perfect condition. I’d give it 5 stars without a moment’s hesitation.

Arnaud P.

Verified customer review

Loyal customer

This 1996 Cristal is superb. It’s very fresh, without ever being acidic. No complaints about the delivery. I’ll definitely be ordering again.

Rawane R.

Verified customer review

To be redone

I couldn’t resist, and I have absolutely no regrets. Notes of dried fruit and honey – superb. I’ll definitely be making this again.

Carly M.

Verified customer review

I recommend

Excellent from start to finish. A delicate effervescence and subtle aromas. The packaging does the product justice. I’d recommend it to all wine lovers.

Louis G.

Verified customer review

A flawless performance

Carefully packaged as a gift. A vintage full of vibrancy and character. Premium packaging – it’s a real treat. I highly recommend it.

Morgane B.

Verified customer review

No complaints

A lovely surprise right from the start. A delicate bouquet of white flowers. A purchase I don’t regret.

Christian P.

Verified customer review

Magnificent

I’m honestly blown away by this vintage. Round on the palate, with lovely structure. Brilliant from start to finish.

Laurence R.

Verified customer review

Perfect as a gift

It saved my last-minute present. Elegant and sophisticated – absolutely spot on. It really exceeded my expectations.

Daniel R.

Verified customer review

Top quality

Enjoyed this to celebrate some good news. A bold attack and a lingering finish. Ordered in the evening, dispatched the next day. Thank you for this wonderful discovery.

Diane D.

Verified customer review

A real treat

A successful attempt to please. An expressive nose, a silky palate and a briny finish. Prompt delivery – no complaints whatsoever. A delighted customer – I’ll be back.

Ludovic D.

Verified customer review

Absolutely brilliant

Perfect for marking the occasion. Powerful yet delicate. Simple ordering and secure payment. A lovely surprise – thank you.

Daniel A.

Verified customer review

Pure joy

Served as an aperitif, it’s a real treat. A golden colour and a delicate head – a real treat. Easy to order, and delivery went smoothly. Perfect – no complaints whatsoever.

Filip D.

Verified customer review

Stunning

Ordered for the festive season. A lovely balance between liveliness and roundness. Fast delivery and impeccable packaging. Flawless – well done.

Luca I.

Verified customer review

A marvel

I had high hopes for this. Delicate bubbles that melt in the mouth. Perfect protection during transport. A sure bet.

Mathias B.

Verified customer review

Sublime

My first order, and certainly not my last. Refined and full of charm. Everything was perfect, from ordering to delivery. The sort of bottle that everyone can agree on.