This bottle was all sorts of good. It had the energy and freshness I expect, with the elevated budding complexity and focus I expect from Cristal. This bested a 2015 by a decent margin (which most would say no surprise, but I’ve had some hit/miss encounters with the 2008 over the past couple of years). I had a number of other top big house producers crush a bottle of 2008 Cristal, giving me slight pause at times.
As it goes with all things wine, a very good bottle one day can be a great bottle the next. So is the case here with this bottle of 2008. One of the better showings this time around. For me, I still think the 2013 is stronger overall and will/has/does typically lap the 2008. I know the 2008 is the darling vintage for Champagne, but I have yet to be convinced it is the vintage to end all vintages, as declared by others.
I say start drinking these 2008s now if you value freshness. Obviously it can hold for some time if you are seeking more oxidative features.
Not much more needs to be said. Super yummy. I wish I had some, but I have friends who love this wine, so I will pester him every time he is in town to bring one.
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Eyes Wide Shut - Day 1 (A quiet place): Nose: Fresh white and yellow fruits, with clean, dry and wet sparkling minerals. Quite lively and exciting. The fruits here are quite aromatic.
Palate: Clean and refreshing on the palate. Lots of clean fruits, light hay, minerals that are lightly sweet yet dry, as if it there were tropical fruit juices splashed onto a dried stone.
This was like a well needed, refreshing shower for the tongue after a long day. Cleans the palate very nicely.
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Still going strong! Love this Champagne! Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Still a benchmark Champagne I think I will never tire of drinking! Still a solid 98!
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Initially a bit closed with a shy nose of lemon and honeydew melon. Steel and chalk on the palate. Very fine mousse. Gradually opens up with more generous fruit, some bread and nuts. Reminiscent of a good panettone. Very, very long, chalky finish. Still young days here. Very good already but needs at least 4-5 years yet, probably more.
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4/26/2024 - csimm wrote: 96 Points
This bottle was all sorts of good. It had the energy and freshness I expect, with the elevated budding complexity and focus I expect from Cristal. This bested a 2015 by a decent margin (which most would say no surprise, but I’ve had some hit/miss encounters with the 2008 over the past couple of years). I had a number of other top big house producers crush a bottle of 2008 Cristal, giving me slight pause at times.
As it goes with all things wine, a very good bottle one day can be a great bottle the next. So is the case here with this bottle of 2008. One of the better showings this time around. For me, I still think the 2013 is stronger overall and will/has/does typically lap the 2008. I know the 2008 is the darling vintage for Champagne, but I have yet to be convinced it is the vintage to end all vintages, as declared by others.
I say start drinking these 2008s now if you value freshness. Obviously it can hold for some time if you are seeking more oxidative features.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (4)
4/13/2024 - bsumoba Likes this wine: 98 Points
Not much more needs to be said. Super yummy. I wish I had some, but I have friends who love this wine, so I will pester him every time he is in town to bring one.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2024 - WineBurrowingWombat Likes this wine: 98 Points
Eyes Wide Shut - Day 1 (A quiet place): Nose: Fresh white and yellow fruits, with clean, dry and wet sparkling minerals. Quite lively and exciting. The fruits here are quite aromatic.
Palate: Clean and refreshing on the palate. Lots of clean fruits, light hay, minerals that are lightly sweet yet dry, as if it there were tropical fruit juices splashed onto a dried stone.
This was like a well needed, refreshing shower for the tongue after a long day. Cleans the palate very nicely.
9 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/13/2024 - MN Wine Junkie Likes this wine: 98 Points
Still going strong! Love this Champagne! Not much to say that hasn't already been said. Still a benchmark Champagne I think I will never tire of drinking! Still a solid 98!
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/29/2024 - Puteljen! Likes this wine: 94 Points
Initially a bit closed with a shy nose of lemon and honeydew melon. Steel and chalk on the palate. Very fine mousse. Gradually opens up with more generous fruit, some bread and nuts. Reminiscent of a good panettone. Very, very long, chalky finish. Still young days here. Very good already but needs at least 4-5 years yet, probably more.
11 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment