The 1996 Brut Dom Ruinart Rose is a dense shut-down wine that needs serious time in the cellar to come together. With additional bottle age the Pinot character should emerge as it almost always does. For now this remains a structured Rose that only occasionally reveals the brilliance that it appears capable of yet all of the ingredients are present for the 1996 to emerge as a brilliant Dom Ruinart Rose. Accordingly my score represents the wine's potential at maturity rather than where it is today. This is Lot: ADONA6 disgorged October 2006. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026.

A fresh elegant rosé with just a hint of strawberry and cherry flavors while the citrus and smoke notes dominate. Very refined and well-integrated with a firm aftertaste of cherry and spice. Best from 2010 through 2030. –BS