Krug
Vintage Brut Champagne Blend
Champagne, France
“Hello, old friend!” It’s been a couple years since I last enjoyed the ‘96 Krug and I’m very pleased to report, not much has changed!
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1996 pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine remains developing with powerful notes of ripe orchard fruit, raspberries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche, hazelnuts and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The balance of fruit to structure is ridiculous. The finish still goes forever and the texture is divine. Drink now with patience through 2056.
“Hello, old friend!” It’s been a couple years since I last enjoyed the ‘96 Krug and I’m very pleased to report, not much has changed!
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 1996 pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine remains developing with powerful notes of ripe orchard fruit, raspberries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche, hazelnuts and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The balance of fruit to structure is ridiculous. The finish still goes forever and the texture is divine. Drink now with patience through 2056.
Delicious. Lime and wet stone. The most accessible this wine has been. Exceptional
Delicious. Lime and wet stone. The most accessible this wine has been. Exceptional
May 20th, 2026Oy vey. Soft peaches and dried apricot but still really fresh. Tang and wet stone. Delicate and textured with great length. Superb.
Oy vey. Soft peaches and dried apricot but still really fresh. Tang and wet stone. Delicate and textured with great length. Superb.
Apr 25th, 2026
Popped and poured; enjoyed in red Solo cups over the course of an hour. The 1995 continues to show slightly oxidative characteristics strawberry, white peach, citrus, nuts and marshmallow. Another really fine showing, nearly one year since my last bottle. Drink now through 2035.
Popped and poured; enjoyed in red Solo cups over the course of an hour. The 1995 continues to show slightly oxidative characteristics strawberry, white peach, citrus, nuts and marshmallow. Another really fine showing, nearly one year since my last bottle. Drink now through 2035.
Oct 17th, 2025
Using Delectable library photo of Krug vintage. The one I tasted was 2006. A blend of 48% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 17% Pinot Meunière. Quite a high % of Chardonnay for Krug in this warmer year. So balanced and thorough. The aperitif we had at a Burgundy dinner in Sydney on August 7. Only catching up with notes now.
Using Delectable library photo of Krug vintage. The one I tasted was 2006. A blend of 48% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 17% Pinot Meunière. Quite a high % of Chardonnay for Krug in this warmer year. So balanced and thorough. The aperitif we had at a Burgundy dinner in Sydney on August 7. Only catching up with notes now.
Sep 15th, 2025Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course an hour. The 1976 pours a golden color with a little, but quickly dissipating mousse. On the nose, sensational notes of toasted marshmallow, quince, apricot, boozy pineapple, fino sherry, chalky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the chalky minerals played a role in the texture…in a good way. Such an elegant, regal bottle of bubbles. It’s a rare treat to drink old Champagne and even more special when it’s Krug. Drink now.
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course an hour. The 1976 pours a golden color with a little, but quickly dissipating mousse. On the nose, sensational notes of toasted marshmallow, quince, apricot, boozy pineapple, fino sherry, chalky minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the chalky minerals played a role in the texture…in a good way. Such an elegant, regal bottle of bubbles. It’s a rare treat to drink old Champagne and even more special when it’s Krug. Drink now.
Feb 19th, 2025
Did not expect to use the descriptors energetic and fresh when describing a bottle of 34 year old champagne but that’s exactly how to describe this bottle. The acidity was a thunderbolt. Somehow this bottle managed to have that wonderful combination of freshness with the complexity that comes with age . A real eye opener.
Did not expect to use the descriptors energetic and fresh when describing a bottle of 34 year old champagne but that’s exactly how to describe this bottle. The acidity was a thunderbolt. Somehow this bottle managed to have that wonderful combination of freshness with the complexity that comes with age . A real eye opener.
Oct 6th, 2024
My friend Fran put it all together, met up with our friends from Be Bubbly
My friend Fran put it all together, met up with our friends from Be Bubbly
Aug 11th, 2024
The 2011 Vintage is a very pretty wine in this highly challenging vintage. Apricot, mint, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak open nicely in the glass. There is some of the savory character of 2011, but it is nicely woven into the wine’s fabric. To be sure, the 2011 is a slender vintage at Krug. That is especially evident in the wine's light-ish mid-palate and overall feel, yet all the elements are impeccably balanced. I expect the 2011 to be a relatively early maturing Vintage and would not push my luck on aging. Disgorged: Summer 2022. Krug ID: 322038. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2024)
The 2011 Vintage is a very pretty wine in this highly challenging vintage. Apricot, mint, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak open nicely in the glass. There is some of the savory character of 2011, but it is nicely woven into the wine’s fabric. To be sure, the 2011 is a slender vintage at Krug. That is especially evident in the wine's light-ish mid-palate and overall feel, yet all the elements are impeccably balanced. I expect the 2011 to be a relatively early maturing Vintage and would not push my luck on aging. Disgorged: Summer 2022. Krug ID: 322038. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2024)