The 1996 Cristal Rose is an intensely-flavored Champagne with an unusually light pale salmon color. Its effervescence is restrained (almost non-existent), but the flavors are intense in this dry, austere, provocative offering. An outrageously great, singularly-styled rose Champagne, it is best served with intensely-flavored food. It is a tour de force in Champagne to enjoy over the next 7-10 years. Louis Roederer does not display a disgorgement date or consumer friendly lot number on its non-vintage Brut. This is regrettable as it has consistently been one of the finer bottlings in this category.