That’s good to hear because the '09 has been just average IME and not a vintage I seek to taste or have bothered backfilling and I was worried '16 would be similar.
I’ve really liked the 09 lately, but don’t think it’s built for the long haul. That all being said, in magnum it’s a bit of a different beast.
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Haven’t had it in mag, but I’d imagine it might be better. I think the first bottle I had a few years ago was better, but lately it’s been soft and lackluster and not very interesting. Would I buy/drink it for half the price of the 08/12/13? Sure, but it’s not sold that way.
Tasted the 2016 on my visit in January - I will definitely be keeping a couple of bottles in my cellar. Don’t really know what to do with a couple of 2015s that were gifted to me, some people know I love Cristal but don’t venture into what vintages are preferred. I guess it will make for an interesting side by side years from now. Tasted the 1981 on this visit as well, made me swoon, so much character!
Yeah some people haven’t liked the 09 that much like @Jon_Lawrence i believe. I’ll need to revisit, as I haven’t had a bottle in a year or so.
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I’m really enjoying this Discussion 
. Cristal Vintages are much more invigorating to ponder than corkage.
We should do something together this year involving these non-13 Cristal vintages. I haven’t had the 09 very recently, but like Andrew, I’m a little curious to see you rank the 09 in the top tier, Michael. Now, admittedly, I haven’t had the 09 in a couple of years either, but I have to admit, it doesn’t occur to me to prioritize them.
My sample size is smaller than yours, but I actually preferred the 14s I have had in the past year than the one 12 I had last month, as I found the 12 much less giving. Sort of like 12 cdc, actually 
5 years development might be in order now if this is an actual vintage phase rather than bottle variation.
This discussion is also reminding me why I keep operating wanting to keep drinking 13s. And why when thinking about vintages from the 21st century, I’m generally more motivated to look to recent vintages until the 2008 re-blossoms.
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I think many of the 09 and 09 base champagnes are lights out. Probably the best of them is the hard to find Krug 165.
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I’m gonna have the 12 and 13 Cristal next weekend so we’ll see how they are.
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