Louis Roederer Cristal 2004 Rose

The 2004 Cristal Rose, from magnum, is less expressive than the Cristal. Today it is too soon to tell how much of that may be attributable to the larger format. The 2004 Cristal Rose is 70% Pinot from Ay and 30% Chardonnay from Avize. This remains a very tight, mineral-driven Cristal Rose that will require significant bottle age. A final burst of floral red berries on the finish bodes well for the future. Today I prefer the Cristal over the Cristal Rose, but time will ultimately tell how these wines develop. I recently tasted the 1996s and it is now appears the Rose has moved ahead, if very slightly, from the Cristal. The 2004 Cristal Rose was disgorged in December 2009 and dosage was 9 grams per liter.