Fairly consistent with my note about two weeks ago. This does come off a little more Kruggy than the 164eme, but overall it is very similar in character. A nice hint of green apple, nuts, and a touch of brioche as well. Similar on the palate, with the richness that you get from oxidative winemaking, but none of the oxidation. I'll note that I found the last bottle of this to be less intense than the 164eme, but this one seemed to hold up to that same level of cut (these variations are more likely my own palate varying than the wine). Overall, I still think that the 164eme is a slightly better wine, but the disparity isn't as large as I thought.
The nose on this wasn't particularly giving, but there were some elements of tart citrus, green herbs, and some other tart elements. It takes a while for things to emerge on the nose. The palate is taut, and the chardonnay character really shines through there, with plenty of sour citrus. This wine, while intensely coiled up right now, shows an incredible amount of potential: this is a spring of energy that is just waiting to be released. It's not particularly expressive now, but there is certainly a huge amount of upside.
Seems to be a little more ornery than it was last year. The contrast between the Clos de Mesnil and this is quite start, and the chardonnay characteristics in the Clos de Mesnil giving it a brightness that this wine clearly doesn't have. Instead, this is more broad-shouldered and bulkier, but at the same time just a little angular now. A nice dose of sweeter fruit on the palate as well. There's great material here for a long haul, but to me, this isn't as impressive as it was on release. Perhaps shutting down a bit?
214033. From magnum, and technically the 18eme edition (though it doesn't say so on the label), which makes it the 2005 release. Probably my favourite wine of the evening -- it was so aromatically complex and intense, with florals, red berries, and earthy tones all in a lovely mix. The palate is filigreed and delicate, and definitely matches the nose. A hint of orange peel and tons of power on the midpalate. Awesome complexity here.
This has consistently been one of my favourite numbered Krug GCs. It's got the brightness of the chardonnay, but the power of the pinot behind it as well. Tart citrus on the nose, but also some of that oxidative nuttiness and raw power. The palate is fleshed out, with a lovely breadth, as well as some of that classic 2004 raciness. I think a bit of age will help this come together more, but this is very delicious now already.
NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 166eme 93 Points
France, Champagne
Fairly consistent with my note about two weeks ago. This does come off a little more Kruggy than the 164eme, but overall it is very similar in character. A nice hint of green apple, nuts, and a touch of brioche as well. Similar on the palate, with the richness that you get from oxidative winemaking, but none of the oxidation. I'll note that I found the last bottle of this to be less intense than the 164eme, but this one seemed to hold up to that same level of cut (these variations are more likely my own palate varying than the wine). Overall, I still think that the 164eme is a slightly better wine, but the disparity isn't as large as I thought.
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2004 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil 93 Points
France, Champagne
The nose on this wasn't particularly giving, but there were some elements of tart citrus, green herbs, and some other tart elements. It takes a while for things to emerge on the nose. The palate is taut, and the chardonnay character really shines through there, with plenty of sour citrus. This wine, while intensely coiled up right now, shows an incredible amount of potential: this is a spring of energy that is just waiting to be released. It's not particularly expressive now, but there is certainly a huge amount of upside.
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2004 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 93 Points
France, Champagne
Seems to be a little more ornery than it was last year. The contrast between the Clos de Mesnil and this is quite start, and the chardonnay characteristics in the Clos de Mesnil giving it a brightness that this wine clearly doesn't have. Instead, this is more broad-shouldered and bulkier, but at the same time just a little angular now. A nice dose of sweeter fruit on the palate as well. There's great material here for a long haul, but to me, this isn't as impressive as it was on release. Perhaps shutting down a bit?
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NV Krug Champagne Brut Rosé 95 Points
France, Champagne
214033. From magnum, and technically the 18eme edition (though it doesn't say so on the label), which makes it the 2005 release. Probably my favourite wine of the evening -- it was so aromatically complex and intense, with florals, red berries, and earthy tones all in a lovely mix. The palate is filigreed and delicate, and definitely matches the nose. A hint of orange peel and tons of power on the midpalate. Awesome complexity here.
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NV Krug Champagne Brut Grande Cuvée Edition 160eme 93 Points
France, Champagne
This has consistently been one of my favourite numbered Krug GCs. It's got the brightness of the chardonnay, but the power of the pinot behind it as well. Tart citrus on the nose, but also some of that oxidative nuttiness and raw power. The palate is fleshed out, with a lovely breadth, as well as some of that classic 2004 raciness. I think a bit of age will help this come together more, but this is very delicious now already.
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