TNs: Krug tasting

WINE TALK
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KRUG TASTING AT 67PM - (17/8/2023)

Quick notes and three takeaways that I had from the Krug tasting at 67 Pall Mall.

  1. Krug is Krug, but I’m glad no wines blew me away if not I would be very poor!
  2. While Krug is overpriced now IMO, it is still a relative value compared to some growers.
  3. I don’t have much experience with old Krug but I definitely see the stylistic shift towards a more grower style that I have read about. Very apparent between the first and second flight here (pre- and post-2009 I would say).
  • NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 171eme - France, Champagne
    Easy-going. Quite generous and round, but ultimately nondescript. Did gain weight and texture with air so probably just needs more time. (92 pts.)
  • NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvee Edition 170eme - France, Champagne
    Reduction with gunflint which reminded me of Dom at first. High acid with citrus fruit but no weight and slight greeness. Didn’t even remember that I had this before which shows how much I cared for this the last time. (90 pts.)
  • NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 168eme - France, Champagne
    From magnum. First real Krug of the tasting. Power but with tension and focus. Sweet house style but balanced with precise citrus fruit. Best wine of the flight today for me in the sense that it was the most ready. President of Krug said that there will be no 2012 vintage because it all went into reserve wines, but let’s see after the 2008 fiasco. (94 pts.)
  • NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 164eme - France, Champagne
    Some secondary development with slight honey notes, but still rather tight with the structure dominating. Vibrant nose with serious richness, volume and power. Finally some semblance of old-school Krug, but needs more time. (93 pts.)
  • NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 162eme - France, Champagne
    Not sure if this bottle was representative or if it was advanced. Sweet and round with slight sherry notes, lacked acidity. Would have guessed 90s if blinded. (90 pts.)
  • NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 161eme - France, Champagne
    From jeroboam. This blew me away with its explosive nose out of the gates. So powerful but retained tension and freshness. Don’t have much experience with old Krug but this ticked all the boxes. Supremely balanced, with the intensity, richness and power dialled up to 100. Supremely youthful. (95 pts.)

Photo 17-8-23, 8 04 47 PM
Photo 17-8-23, 8 04 47 PM1920×1215 214 KB

Photo 17-8-23, 8 26 36 PM
Photo 17-8-23, 8 26 36 PM1920×2560 332 KB

The superb 161eme jeroboam.

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Tell the somm to stop smiling, it looks unprofessional. :upside_down_face:

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Thanks for the notes! Ouch re: 170. I have a couple for daughters birth year; hopefully another 15 years will help!

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164 and 168 are the only ones worth drinking and aren’t near ready especially the 168 from mag. Thanks for the look up!

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Sorry man it’s not great. Had it last year and it was open but simple and uninteresting.

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100 points on the lineup picture, beautiful!

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I don’t think the 170 will ever be a great Krug, but it’s a solid if unspectacular wine.

In general, 2014 isn’t the greatest vintage in Champagne, though being a huge region that’s obviously going to be varied. If you want a vintage wine for a birth year, I might suggest Vilmart (especially the 2014 Emotion, which is great), the Lassaigne Clos St. Sophie (if you can find it) and the 2014 Doyard Clos de l’Abbaye (which shouldn’t be that hard to find, really). Of the big houses, I suspect your best bet is probably Cristal - I’ve had the 2014 a number of times, and while it’s not as good as the 2013 (which may well be the best Cristal made this century), it’s a good wine.

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