99

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2008 Cristal is just fabulous. Chiseled and nuanced to the core, the 2008 possesses dazzling intensity from start to finish. Crushed rocks, lemon peel, graphite, mint, lime, chalk and white flowers all race across the palate. This is classic Cristal in a cool, late-ripening year. 11/2024

97

Richard Juhlin

Richard Juhlin

Not as extravagant as Dom Pérignon at launch, but with more undeveloped power and higher acidity. Slightly closed aroma and extreme purity. Magnificent weight under the surface. We are waiting for the exoticism and fruit richness as well as the white chocolate. It is significantly more more tied than Dom Pérignon and Comtes and so far a small step behind them. However, I wouldn't be surprised if this tight and extract-packed grandeur steps past one day in the autumn. As a restrained breed horse that the driver chastise to that time is mature to go out in full gallop. More oak than before.

100

James Suckling

James Suckling

OMG. A masterpiece. A benchmark. Tight and structured, with fantastic precision and structure. Sharp line of acidity throughout, with fine and tight bubbles. Pineapple, lemon, white apricot, seashell, biscuit, blanched almond and a hint of chamomile. Vertical and mineral. Dosage 7g/L. Special release in magnum and aged two or three years longer on the lees than the normal bottling. I can’t go higher than this. Even better in a few years. 06/2022