2000 Krug

I was fortunate to visit Krug last month and within the scenic surroundings of Clos de Mesnil (and at Maison Krug in Reims) I tasted the current portfolio; including the recently released 2000 vintage. Comparing the two current vintages (1998 and 2000) side by side, I would say that the 1998 (only the second vintage ever, after the 1981, where the blend is dominated by Chardonnay) is very precise with vibrant floral/citrus purity and crisp minerality. Meanwhile the Vintage 2000 has more colour (perhaps the greater amount of pinot in the blend tricks the eye but not on the palate where it definitely shows); it has wonderful breadth and depth. Olivier Krug commented on its early similarity to the 1995 vintage. To launch the new vintage the 2000 was served at a meal created by Michelin starred chef Arnaud Lallement at his Restaurant L’Assiette Champenoise in Reims. Brilliant with all courses but magnificent served to accompany “Gnocchis Crémeux with Truffe d’Alba”.

Contact James Maitland - james@seckfordwines.co.uk  - +44 (0)1394 446610  

Krug Grande Cuvée
£480 ib per 6 bottles
£640 ib per 3 magnums
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 90 points The NV Brut Grand Cuvee offers up attractive suggestions of pears, quince, spice, brioche and minerals. As is often the case here, the Grand Cuvee reveals notable elegance and finesse. The use of reserve wines in the blend gives this wine an unusual level of complexity. 

Krug Rosé
£420 ib per 3 bottles
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 93 points The NV Brut Rose is awesome in the way it combines elegance, finesse and power. There is superb material in the density of fruit, along with perfumed aromatics and silky, chalky tannins that frame the long finish. It’s all here in this sublime, sensual wine.(A reminder that this is Brut. Therefore this rosé is a companion to savoury courses; not strawberries and sweet dishes.) 

Krug vintage 2000 – the new release
£710 ib per 6 bottles
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate – not yet published. Powerful with lots of depth; a broad style.  Flavours of dried orchard fruits and roasted nuts roll on and on to a clean cut finish. Glorious already (it is a millesime gourmand), but will continue to develop (if well cellared) for 15 or more years.  An impressive champagne and a very fine 2000. 

Krug vintage 1998
£710 ib per 6 bottles
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 94 points The 1998 Brut Vintage is a gorgeous wine for near-term drinking, Warm, toasty notes lead to an expansive core of fruit that covers the palate. This isn’t the most complex Krug Vintage, but it also won’t take years or decades to offer its finest drinking (to 2020).(It is widely acknowledged that Krug 1998 has improved with an extra year’s ageing.  So now it is considered even finer than this note suggests.) 

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996
£1200 ib per bottle – very limited availability (subject to confirmation)
Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate 97+ points The 1996 Clos d’Ambonnay is very similar to the Clos du Mesnil in this vintage. It has the same piercing purity and minerality with the heft of the Pinot still to fully emerge. Hints of menthol, spices and berries wrap around the eternal finish. Clos d’Ambonnay, from a single, walled-in parcel in the village of Ambonnay, is in many ways the red (blanc de noirs) equivalent of Clos du Mesnil.(This has gone straight to my number one champagne I wish to try again. It is outstanding; but beware the price is per bottle.)