Treasures from Champagne Krug

Krug champagnes are among the most vinous out there. That is, in their rich texture, generous fruit and capacious depths, they often resemble still wines more than other champagnes. In the case of the flagship wine, the Grande Cuvée multi-vintage blend, this is in part due to the substantial use of older vintages as blending components. In the 171st Edition, for example, the base year is 2015, but included are Chardonnay wines from all the way back in the 2000 vintage. The depths and complexities this yields have to be tasted to be believed.

The vintage wines capture the specificities of one excellent year. A tasting of the 2002 in October reminded me just how sumptuous these wines are with a little age. The 2008 is, of course, a benchmark Champagne vintage, while the older vintages available offer a rare opportunity to taste fully mature Krug. The Collection wines undergo additional lees ageing for even greater complexity, believe it or not.