Reposting from this thread:
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée White Label
My only bottle of the old white (or light yellow) label Krug Grande Cuvée, disgorged sometime between 1982 and 1995. This was an old auction purchase, and the gamble paid off in spades. When I removed the cage and grabbed the cork, it was sticky, and I assumed the leaker would be spoiled. My hopes sank further when the cork broke as I twisted. Fortunately, the Durand extracted the remaining piece cleanly, and I started with a cautious small pour.
My expectations began to lift. While it showed clear signs of maturity, the wine was far from spoiled. I knew right away that this first bottle would be one of the wines of the night. The nose was fully developed, with prominent toffee, gingerbread, and a delicate note reminiscent of a quality fino. Faint effervescence remained.
The palate was stunning, drinking more like an old grand cru white Burgundy with the natural oxidation of time. Rich, layered, and endlessly complex, with a finish that went on and on.
There was no legible writing left on the stained cork to confirm the disgorgement date, but based on how the wine showed, my feeling is that this was one of the older disgorgements, likely based on vintages from the 1970s or early 1980s.
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Édition 168ème
A blast of brioche led into savory ginger, citrus, apricot, and fragrant florals. Energetic and powerful, with an extracted yet elegant profile. Fresh and beautiful, but incredibly young and still far from its apogee.
NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle "La Cuvée" (Old Black and Gold Label)
Continuing with the old vs new theme, I opened this old Grand Siècle. The cork code was B89, indicating disgorgement in the second quarter of 1998. It’s likely Iteration 14, blending the 1988, 1985, and 1982 vintages, though it could belong to a nearby iteration.
Regardless of which it was, as with my previous bottles of this disgorgement, it defied its age. This was the third bottle of wine (of 28) we opened that night, and I knew immediately it would be my wine of the night. There were none of the oxidized, cider-like notes or fatigued bead often expected from a quadragenarian bottle. Instead, it opened with a lively pop and poured with the vibrancy of a much younger wine, both in color and effervescence.
To my palate, this was perfection. Layers of peach, ginger, and subtle coffee, all balanced by remarkable freshness. These old Grand Siècles are as close to immortal as a Champagne can be.
NV Laurent-Perrier Champagne Grand Siècle Iteration 23 Grande Cuvée
Continuing with the old vs new theme, I opened this Grand Siècle, likely Itération 23, following the stunning Itération 14. While I can’t say for certain this was a 23—the iterations weren’t listed on the necks of 750 ml bottles until the 24th—I had noted It. 23 on my cellar tag when I purchased it, though I failed to check the cork code to confirm.
A blend of 2002, 2004, and 2006, it showed beautifully. Gorgeous brioche, apples, orange cream, and mineral notes framed a palate of impressive class and freshness. These Grand Siècles rarely show their age, and this was no exception. A gorgeous wine.
I’m always surprised by how slowly these mature. While most of my single-vintage Champagnes from those years are well within their drinking windows, Grand Siècle seems to be at its best about ten years after release—which would be around 2032 for this bottle.
