Cristal 2008 Louis Roederer

Classification
Type	Effervescent
Marque	Louis Roederer
Millésime	2008
Pays	France
Région	Champagne
Raisin	Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay
Volume
État	Parfait
Étiquette	Parfait
Consommable	2025-2050
Stock	0
Volume
État	Boîte en carton originale
Étiquette	Parfait
Consommable	-2050
Stock	0
Volume
État	Caisse en bois originale
Étiquette	Parfait
Consommable	2025-2050
Stock	0

Avis professionnels

Robert Parker (97)

Let's start describing the 2008 Cristal technically first. It is a 60/40 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from 36 plots in seven grands crus: Verzy, Verzenay, Beaumont and Aÿ for the Pinot Noir and Mesnil, Avize and Cramant for the Chardonnay. Twenty-five percent of the wine was fermented in oak, and 16% underwent malolactic fermentation to moderate the fresh acidity of the 2008 vintage. The assemblage was bottled in May 2009. After 8.5 years on the second lees (longer than any Cristal before), the first release was disgorged in September 2017 with a relatively low dosage of 7.5 grams per liter.

Winespectator (97)

There's a sense of focus and vibrancy to the overall structure, while the palate is all grace and charm. A fine, lacy texture carries a tapestry of ripe white cherry, toast point, blood orange zest, honey and ground ginger notes, with a minerally, mouthwatering finish. A stunning Champagne with a long future ahead of it. Drink now through 2033.

BOW (9)

James Suckling (100)

One of the masterpieces of this exceptional vintage (the last that was this cool). Ravishing nose of Amalfi lemon and white peach with hints of white chocolate, chamomile and oyster shell. Super-elegant and tightly structured with a hint of creaminess on the mid-palate adding tension. Very long steely finish carried by the linear mineral acidity. A cuvée of 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, part of which (unusually for Cristal) underwent malolactic fermentation. Getting very scarce on the secondary market, partly because of the great aging potential! Tasted at the Cristal vertical tasting at the champagne house on July 6th, 2023. Drink or hold.

Jasper Morris (99)

Wine maker Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon reckons this is his best Cristal to date, and I’m rather inclined to agree with him! Cristal has been on a role since the classical 2002 vintage, Jean-Baptiste has been “tweaking” the Cristal formula, making small adjustments that have clearly paid dividends. A dazzling combination of precision, finesse and immediate complexity, the 2008 vintage Cristal is just astonishing. A wine that is almost impossible to describe (unless we want to start a game of fruit bingo), the vanilla dusted fruit is suave and sophisticated, gliding seamlessly along the palate. Intense and weightless at the same time, with mid-palate weight and a phenomenally long finish, this wine is lacking in no area. A Champagne that will age effortlessly for decades to come. Only the first time I’ve scored a wine 99/100 on potential, and I’ve yet to taste the magnum.

Falstaff (100)

Light greenish yellow, silver reflections; fine, persistent mousse. Fresh white peach note, light tropical fruit, mineral, incredibly youthful and purist. On the palate complex, fine yellow tropical fruit nuances, a touch of peach and apple, tight-knit, firm body, very vital, energetic acidity, dynamic, lemony-salty touch, has an immensely long finish. Certainly has the potential to age for many years, finesse and richness as never before.

Wine Enthusiast (100)

This latest incarnation of the famous brand is a superb wine. It is on par with, maybe even better than, the already legendary 2002. Its balance is impeccable: Apple and citrus flavors working with the tight minerality to give a textured yet fruity wine. Produced from Roederer's own vineyards which are mainly biodynamic, the wine has its own intense purity and crispness. It has amazing potential and is likely to age for many years. Drink from 2020.