I'm happy to join the chorus and say that the 2008 Cristal is the most impressive young vintage of the wine I've ever tasted.

I'm very confident that the 2008 will go down as one of the greatest vintages of Cristal in the past forty years.

It's easy to imagine that Cristal's status as a luxury item obscures just how great it can be, so let me say that anytime I have the opportunity to drink old Cristal I get very excited. Cristal with age can be jaw-droppingly profound.

I have not doubt that the 2008 will age into something truly epic.

The 2008 vintage in Champagne is one our favorite vintages. Along with 2002, 2008 is the best vintage of the decade. Where 2002 is defined by a high level of ripeness and muscle, 2008 is about purity, harmony and an energetic structure. We love the total package.

Cristal is one of the absolute highlights of the vintage. The combination of sleek elegance and layered, multifaceted complexity is magical.

The transformation that Cristal undergoes as it ages is amazing. While maintaining a dynamic verve, it becomes deeply complex, boasting notes of roast coffee and toffee along with an utterly aristocratic personality. Right now, the 2008 looks very much like a vintage of a lifetime.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden

Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits