Italiano
Cristal 2008
| Author | Chiara Giovoni |
| Date of publication | 29/06/18 |
| Score | 99/100
DoctorWine Award greater than 95
|
| Denomination | Champagne |
| Awards | |
| Value for money | |
| Current price | 190.00 € |
| Country | Champagne |
| Nation | Francia |
Cuvée Cristal 2008 is made with Grand Cru grapes from Montagne de Reims, Vallée de la Marne and Cotes de Blancs in a blend that is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with 20% if the wine fermenting in wood. After sitting on the lees for ten years, it was disgorged in October 2017 with a dosage of 7.75g7l and then aged a further six months in the bottle before reaching the market. The weather during the 2008 growing season was cool in spring and summer and, especially at night, the cooler temperatures allowed for a balanced ripening and high acidity, which convinced Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon to raise to 20% the amount of must subject to malolactic fermentation.
In the glass, the luminous golden color is a miracle of energy and tension, an amazing balance between lightness and richness. The bouquet has intense scents of tropical fruit with notes of honey, chamomile and exotic citrus fruit, with bread spices and nuances of toasted barley together with those of chalk and iodine. The mouthfeel has a texture that will win you over with the first sip because it is creamy and silky but with a proportionate volume between the fruit and tension, with a pinpoint vivacious purity in a willowy and pulsating persistence that seems infinite and beyond.
More than a few people are already saying this will be the best ever but for us Cristal 2008 is not a 100/100 at present and we say this as a provocation to convince Champagne lovers to let it have the time it needs to fully demonstrate its magnificence.
