Wine enthusiasts often debate the best champagne vintage. 2008 is often a strong contender.
Champagne’s 2008 growing seasons saw a miraculous harvest, which led to a stunning vintage.
Is 2008 a good year for Champagne?
Vincent Chaperon (the cellar master at Dom Perignon) said 2008 was a “miracle year” for Champagne.
The growing season began with a long winter and ended with a cold spring. This allowed the vines time to rest after harvest. The grape bunches ripened slowly and retained their acidity.
The weather was warmer towards the end of spring, but the middle of summer was cloudy, bringing fears of a ruinous harvest.
The weather miraculously changed, and the sun, bright, late-summer days helped the grapes reach perfect ripeness.
It was a remarkable vintage due to the perfect growing conditions. According to some winemakers, it is even better than the 1996 and 1988 vintages.
Let’s now look at the best Champagne bottles that you can buy.
2008 Jacques Selosse Millesime ($4,245)
The 2008 Jacques Selosse vintage is a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grapes. It is bursting with bright, acidic flavours, new oak, sweet spices aroma notes and ripe summer fruits.
Investment Opportunity:
This Champagne is highly sought after by wine investors and is the star of many auctions.
- A bottle of 2008 Jacques Seosse Millesime was sold at a Catawiki auction for $1,775.
- At an Ideal Wine auction, 2021, two magnum bottles from this vintage were sold at $1.988 each.
2008 Salon Cuvee ‘S’ Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut ($3,078)
The 2008 Salon Cuvee vintage is rare, with only 8,000 Magnum bottles.
It is made only from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Cote Des Blancs. It is a rich blend of ripe fruit aromas and almonds, with hints of wet mineral, green apples, and citrus fruit flavours.
Investment Opportunity:
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate magazine awarded 100 points to the 2008 ‘S’ Le Mesnil.
This is how it performed at auctions.
- A 7-bottle Salon Champagne lot, which included a 2008 Les Mesnil Magnum, was sold at a Catawiki auction in 2021 for $7,069.
- Another 7-bottle lot, one 2008 Salon Magnum and six vintage Champagne Salon bottles were sold at Catawiki’s auction in 2020 for $55,546.
2008 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes Francaises Blanc de Noirs ($2,889)
The 2008 vintage sparkling wine is exclusively made from Pinot Noir grapes. It is a blend of hazelnut and mocha aromas.
It has a taste note of white flowers, nuts, cardamom and cardamom. The palate is long and fresh, with plenty of acidity and freshness.
Investment Opportunity:
The 2008 Bollinger Vieilles Vignes achieved impressive results.
- A bottle of this Champagne was sold at a Catawiki 2022 auction for $2,890.
- A bottle of this Champagne rose from $1,411 up to $3,099 over a single year (2021-2022), a 120% increase.
2008 Henri Giraud Argonne’ Ay Grande Cru Brut ($495)
The 2008 vintage Champagne blend Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier grape varieties. This sparkling wine is a refined and refreshing choice with pleasant acidity and freshness.
The palate is a mix of mocha, citrus fruits, and brioche notes, accompanied by oak and apple aromas.
Investment Opportunity:
The 2008 Henri Giraud Argonne has had stellar price appreciation and auction results.
- The 2008 Argonne rose from $355 in 2020 to $510 by 2022, a 43% increase.
- In Bruun Rasmussen’s 2019 auction, a bottle of this vintage was sold for $336
2008 Louis Roederer Cristal Brut ($426)
Louis Roederer Vintage Champagne is a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes.
It is characterized by refined freshness and racy acids. The palate is enriched with lemon curd, yellow fruits, and citrus flavours.
Investment Opportunity:
The 2008 Louis Roederer Cristal sparkling wines have exceptional investment potential.
- A 750ml bottle of wine costing $241 has increased to $426 by 2022.
- A 6-bottle lot from this vintage was sold at a Sotheby’s auction held in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2021. It sold for $1954.