1996 Louis Roederer Cristal Rose
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The 1996 Cristal Rosé (Late Disgorged) is just as impressive as it has always been, especially in more recent tastings. A wine that opens up in all directions, the 1996 has no beginning and no end; it is simply magical. The earliest tertiary nuances are just beginning to appear, but the 1996 remains youthful, tense and brilliant. Orange peel, cinnamon, rosewater and cranberries add nuance on the crystalline, salivating finish. In a recent tasting of the reference-point 1996 Champagnes, both Cristal and Cristal Rosé were at the top of the pack. This is another brilliant showing from the Cristal Rosé. This bottle was disgorged about three years after the commercial release as part of Roederer's soon to be launched Late Disgorged program.
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Even better, the 1996 Cristal Rosé blossoms on the palate with magnificent depth and pure volume. The sense of phenolics ripeness and vinous intensity are very much evident. Today, the 1996 Cristal Rosé is utterly captivating for its sensual, enveloping personality and total sense of class.
Roederer's 1996 Cristal Rosé is compelling and unique from the very first taste. Time has softened some of the intense, bracing acidity that has always marked the 1996. A high-toned bouquet laced with blood orange and rose petal overtones melds into ethereal fruit. The 1996 boasts very high acidity and dangerously low pH, but all the elements are superbly balanced in the glass. The 1996 is a bit extreme in style, and I don't think it will ever fully soften, but it is eccentric and compelling from the very first taste. I can't wait to see how it ages.
Hardly rosé at all – very little pinkness to the colour. Not much redness to the fruit either. Delicious creaminess though and unexpected power of white fruit on the palate. Dry, tight structure. Very long, yeasty and broad to finish. Drink up. (RH)