Krug - Vintage - Brut
94 points - The Wine Advocate
97 points - The Wine Advocate
90 points - The Wine Advocate
97 points - The Wine Advocate
98 points - The Wine Advocate
Krug - Vintage - Brut
94 points - The Wine Advocate
97 points - The Wine Advocate
90 points - The Wine Advocate
97 points - The Wine Advocate
98 points - The Wine Advocate
Regular price£33100
£331.00
/
- In stock
- Inventory on the way
The colour of this champagne is golden, luminous and intense. The delicate nose reveals sublime aromas of fresh fruit. A lively and harmonious attack precedes a seductive palate of persistence, precision and complexity. Notes of pastry, stewed fruit, thyme and subtle smoky aromas are then expressed. Chiseled and lively, the latter stretches out with aromas of grapefruit zest and sea salt.
Since I reviewed the Krug 2008 Brut last year, I have drunk the wine on five or six occasions, but I still struggle to understand it. This bottle, tasted at the cellars in Reims, was among the best I've encountered to date; but between the chiseled muscularity of the Clos du Mesnil and the complexity and plenitude of the 164ème Édition of Grande Cuvée, the vintage itself simply seems less compelling and complete. Offering up aromas of citrus oil, freshly baked bread, orange zest, dried white flowers and a discreet hint of buttered toast, it's medium to full-bodied, racy and saline, with a pretty pinpoint mousse and a tightly wound core. Will it unfurl with time to reveal more mid-palate volume and authority, or will it remain a comparatively lean, understated vintage for Krug? As ever, time will tell, and given the house's track record I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see the 2008 take flight with more time on cork.
As I reported when it was released, Krug's 2006 Brut is clearly one of the vintage's highlights. Offering up aromas of dried fruits, pear, freshly baked bread, caramelized apples, honeycomb and toasted sourdough, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with superb concentration, racy acids and an impressively tightly wound profile for this demonstrative vintage. I observed last year that this is surprisingly reserved for the vintage, and if anything, that quality is even more in evidence today. While many 2006 Champagnes are likely to be at their best in their demonstrative youth, this is one wine unquestionably built for the long haul.
The 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage Selection is composed of 88% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah (13.6% natural alcohol). A more pigmented dense ruby/purple color is followed by classic notes of cassis, black cherries, spice box and cedary fruit. Medium to full-bodied with supple tannins, a fleshy, seductive mouth-feel and a good finish, this wine is close to full maturity, but will easily last another 12-15 years. Its balance, purity and overall equilibrium are impressive.
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Krug's 2002 Brut (ID 415064 – disgorged IV/2015) has an intense citrus colour and opens with a generous, intense yet fine and precise bouquet that indicates great depth and elegance. Red fruit flavors on the nose lead to a generously rich yet pure, highly refined and elegant palate, with lots of ripe cherry fruits and delicious yeasty flavors. This is a highly complex and tensioned but beautifully balanced 2002 with a charming dosage that gives perfect roundness. The finish, however, is clear, fresh and well-structured, if not taut, and very mineral. Tasted in Reims in April 2018.
The real surprise among Krug’s 1996s is the 1996 Vintage, which is drinking beautifully, even among this rarified air of single-vineyard Champagnes. The 1996 Vintage is explosive and creamy, with just the right balance of power, richness and freshness. The mousse is perhaps just a touch less refined than in the 1996 Clos du Mesnil and Clos d’Ambonnay, but it is also perfectly measured with the wine’s exuberant personality. This multi-dimensional, textured Champagne is at the early part of its drinking window and promises to deliver an incredible drinking experience over the coming decades. The take-away from this flight of 1996s from Krug is simple. Although the 1996 Vintage can’t possibly be described as inexpensive, it shows exceptionally well next to its much more expensive brethren and clearly delivers a similar level of quality. Readers who have the opportunity to pick up this wine should not hesitate. It is a gem. No disgorgement date provided. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2036.
Local Delivery
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1 - 2 working days delivery in France, for orders placed before 2pm.
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EU - Mainland
1 - 3 day delivery throughout mainland EU, for orders placed before 2pm. Allow an extra day for islands.
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Rest of the World
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