1996 Louis Roederer Cristal Rosé Vinothèque
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Tasting notes
Wafting from the glass with aromas of mandarin oil, warm bread and raspberries, mingled with notes of clear honey, blanched almonds and pastry cream, the 1996 Cristal Rosé Vinothèque is showing superbly. It's full-bodied, tensile and searingly chalky, but this concentrated and intense wine's racy spine of acidity is beautifully integrated. This was the first blend Lécaillon presided over as a Roederer employee—three years before he was appointed chef des caves in 1999—and it was clearly a harbinger of great things to come. Amazingly, the finished pH is fully 2.82, yet the wine is perfectly balanced.
Critic scores
Average Score
James Suckling
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
This has moved into a great place, offering the maximum range of characters. From the chalk-driven core emerges an array of spices, fresh mushrooms, white truffles, cocoa powder and dried, woody notes. There’s an explosive feel to the palate with spiced black cherries and plums. Intense acidity, raw and very powerful. The terroir is speaking loudly here. Smooth and fluid tannins offer some respite from the acidity at the finish. Drink or hold.
About the producer
Champagne Louis Roederer remains one of the last independent, family-run Grande Marque Champagne houses. It is best known for creating the first prestige cuvée and one of the region’s most celebrated wines, Cristal.