I think it also depends whether or not you like blanc de blancs versus blends. Salon is a BdB, so naturally, it will be very different than most Krugs, Doms, Cristal, etc. (I saw “most” because in some years, there is a higher blend of chardonnay which makes the wine taste more like a BdB)
And Scott, yes, I almost always prefer 96 Salon. Though, 96 Krug is one hell of a wine. I’ll take both!
I’d give the nod to Krug over Dom based on firsthand experiences (mostly 70s forward), though it’s pretty close.
Oddly, I’ve only ever had Cristal “young.”
I have had some vintage Roederer from the 60s that was excellent.
Does something like Krug just totally blow away things from Schramsberg or other domestic bubbles producers? Haven’t tried krug yet
I think the great appeal of Krug is that it shows a great deal of complexity in youth. Of all the tete de cuvees it can be the most interesting to drink young.
Beyond that, especially when you add bottle age, I think personal tastes come into play in a big way. They certainly do for me- and to a greater degree than for the top wines of any other region in the world.
For my part, a well aged Dom Perignon is as good as it gets. That wine seems to develop more cream than the others, and has a really good track record as well as Ray noted. Other hits for me are Krug and one not yet mentioned here- Taittinger, which also develops a lovely cream with bottle age. Taittinger tends to show well young, but it can age and improve for an incredibly long time.
Cristal is on my hot list too- but it has to be mature or I find it a bit boring. Really old Cristal is a special joy, and I prefer to drink any Cristal at least 20-25 years after the vintage date. Given that, I rarely drink the wine because I did not start cellaring it 20 years ago and I am getting a bit old to be cellaring young vintages now. Thank goodness for all these library release programs.
Yes.
96 Salon > 96 Krug
And I want the Krug to win since it was our wedding night wine. Both exhibit unexpected and gorgeous citrus elements right now, however, Salon is richer, more complex and more polished after these 22 years. Relatively, the Krug is thinner, shorter on the palette and less intense today.
Agree that vintage Krug shows extremely well young compared to Dom and Cristal, and I am just beginning to learn how they develop over 15, 20, 30, etc years. Dom and Cristal are extremely delicate upon release with less oxidative/ expressive elements typical of Krug. Have seen the best vintages of the former blossom 12-15 years out though still regard them as nuanced wines that require focus to coax out the complexities and differentiating qualities, while the Krug delivers instant satisfaction with sheer power and richness.
Yeah.
Comparison tastings of sparkling wine and Champagne are revelatory.
Don’t get me wrong - I can enjoy lots of very good non-Champagne bubbly, but once you introduce all but the most basic Champagne into the mix, it’s all over.
How’s The 85 Dom now? I’m guessing not tired?
Just starting to come into its own as of 5 years ago- and poised for a few decades of magnificence.
Salon and Krug are tops for me. It’s a style preference. Dom enters the picture around age 20. Love Cristal but it’s not quite at the same level as my best bottles of the others, perhaps because I haven’t had them with as much age.
Not much experience with Champagne yet, but I am surprised that no one has thrown into the comparison any growers’ Champagne.
Are they generally considered by the experts here inferior to the cuvees mentioned above or just so different that a comparison does not make sense?
I am intrigued as I have very much enjoyed Selosse (OK I admit production is much lower)
I have had wonderful bottles of Krug, Dom, Salon, etc. But for me, my favorite of the super cuvees over time has been Dom Ruinart and the best value today is Taittinger CdC.
the OP stated the comparison. Krug vs Cristal. Selosse doesn’t figure into that equation. Dom Perignon and Salon do.
I’m mostly on the Krug/dp side. I have much more of those than cristal. I like taittinger as well.
Well stored bottles are mind bogglingly good. Friend of mine has mint bottles that are amazing now, and show promise to age another 40 years.
Keep in mind though, I’ve had bottles that were not well stored (you know, I got it as a gift, stored in my kitchen bottles) and they were dreadful. DP is one of those wines that you are much safer buying full cases, and avoiding single bottles.
I have had Krug and Selosse at the same time, and don’t find that Selosse can hang (maybe not a fair comparison, as it was never vintage vs. vintage). I’ve had Selosse vintage a few times, and I don’t find that it has any where near the complexity, depth, or texture that Krug does. Frankly, I’m not the biggest Selosse fan, so you might want to take that in to consideration. I find the prices way too high too.
Of recent, I would agree. I think 2002 CdC and Ruinart may be the best of those 5. I tried 2002 Krug 5 times on release and didn’t love it. I’ve had it once since, and it’s starting to show better, but it is not the 1996. Salon 2002 was lovely on release, but given it’s current price tag, I’d rather buy several of my two favorites vs. one Salon.
I like 2002 DP, but find it still very youthful (and I’m sure others will disagree with me) and hard to drink now. I think long term, that will be the best of the 5, but CdC and Ruinart right now are just awesome.
They are both concentrated and deeply toned champagnes. The major difference is that Krug shows a brioche/oxidative note from early on. The release prices in general are CDC<DP<Cristal<Krug<Salon. The price gap narrows significantly about ten years after the original release, e.g. 96 vintage. BTW, the champagne houses may use the 08 vintages to increase the prices.
You let me know when you see some 96 Salon and Krug for close to the same price as 96 DP. I’ll be all over that! 
Dom Ruinart definitely gets lost in the shuffle. Recent vintages have been so good–I’ve loved the 98, 02, and 04, and the pricing has stayed semi-reasonable.
I also adore Clos de Goisses, although it is creeping up in price, and it’s not really a traditional tete de cuvee given that it’s a single vineyard. Still, I consistently love the wine young and with age, and the vineyard is some of the more magnificent terroir I’ve seen.