So when should I drink my lone bottle of 2008 Cristal?

[JimHow]

Rounded out a busy 2019 of wine buying with a single bottle of 2008 Roederer Cristal.
So when is the peak time to drink it?

[DavidG]

Now, while there is still more available to buy once you realize one was not enough.

I’m not an Oracle when it comes to this stuff, but I’d guess it will improve for 5-10 years, and if you like old Champagne will still be great for 20 years after that.

[jal]

I agree with David, drink it now, but for different reasons.
I don't really get old Champagne, I like the freshness and vibrancy of young bottles, plus I find older Champagne gets a bit sweeter and heavier.
If you want, buy either an older bottle (at auction or somewhere else) to see if that's a style you prefer or buy two extra bottles of the 2008 and do a blanquito and double blanquito.

[sdr]

Great advice above.

Drink one a year for the next 24 years, so you need to buy a couple of cases now.

Two of the nice things about champagne is that a) it doesn’t begin to oxidize for like half way to forever and b) it doesn’t go through any dumb or moody stage.

Stu

[JimHow]

Great advice indeed!
I think I’ll buy 3 more bottles and drink one now and every 5 years thereafter, which should take me just about to the great champagne room in the sky.

[JimHow]

A couple summers ago Winona Chief brought a bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon to my house that we sipped on the back deck on a perfect late summer day that was in just a perfect place, still bubbly and spry but aged with a lovely nutty character that, for my taste, was just perfect howquito.

[DavidG]

Sounds like that 1996 Dom was in the perfect spot for my palate.

[Blanquito]

Friday night in late March, Chez Alex, Bordeaux.