Using traditional methods, the House of Krug makes no compromise in time or expense with their Champagnes. Three grape varieties contribute to the complexity of the blends: Pinot Noir, for fullness and ability to age beautifully, Meunier for fruitiness and bouquet, and Chardonnay for finesse and elegance
Krug is the only Champagne House still fermenting all of its champagne the age-old way: in small oak casks – necessary for developing Krug’s intense bouquet and complex flavour. Since there is no precise formula for Krug Champagne, the memory of the original Krug taste has been passed on intact from generation to generation in the Krug family. Today, both 5th and 6th generations supervise directly every phase of production, tasting and blending at Krug.
The taste of Krug is greatly enhanced by an exceptionally long period of maturation (6 to 8 years) in the Krug cellars before release. This of course necessitates maintaining an important stock covering at least six years of sales – a practice unparalleled in the Champagne industry. Krug Champagnes also continue to age extremely well long after release from the cellars. Over time, they develop an intensely rich, nutty flavour yet remain remarkably fresh.
Accolades and Awards:
Tyson Stelzer: 97 A blend of more than 100 wines from 8-10 vintages, comprising between 1/3 and 1/2 reserve wines, the complexity in Grande Cuvée is like no other. The balance between its rich complexity of butterscotch, exotic spice and Christmas spice and its cut of lemon rind freshness is impeccable.
James Halliday: 97 I freely concede that it’s impossible there could have been any change in winemaking that would have filtered through into the Krug Grande Cuvée after Krug was acquired by LVMH, but the wines seemed fresher (and better). I hasten to add the wine is as imperiously complex, rich and mouthfilling as ever, a blend of more than 100 parcels of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier spanning eight to 10 vintages that spends six years on lees prior to disgorgement. It has a fascinating squeaky acidity that is a chord providing the ultimate harmony and balance of a truly superb wine.
James Halliday: 97 A blend of more than 100 components spanning 8-10 vintages of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, with the reserve wines kept in tank for up to 20 years. It is the most consistently complex of all champagnes, complexity as obvious on the bouquet as in the flavour and texture of the palate. The aroma and flavour descriptors are nigh on endless, yet are fused with each other into an overwhelmingly hedonistic whole, its exceptional power held in a velvet glove.
Huon Hooke: 97 Ranked 1 of 78 Pinot Noir tasted from Champagne Medium to full yellow colour, bright and fresh. Very toasty, bready complexity, nice developed bouquet, lots of biscuity and balsamic barrel ferment and pinoid development. Lots of barrel developed complexities. Very mellow, mature and complex. Good length and satisfying aftertaste. Excellent softness and the middle-palate is very rewarding.
Gary Walsh: 96 Complex and powerful, although I do like them even more with a bit of bottle age on top. Yeast, biscuits, aldehyde sherry-like tang, lemon, spices, hazelnuts many flavours and a deliciously savoury briney palate thats a masterful example of controlled power. Fills the mouth and finishes super long and spicy. As impressive as ever.
Don't Pay: $350.00
WBW Rating: 99/100
Closure: Cork & Twist
Region: France
Winemaker: TBC
Drink now until: Enjoy Now - 2022
Alc/Vol: 13 %
