Wine Article
2003 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
Last edited on 5/27/2018 by LindsayM
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At the House of Krug each Krug Vintage is crafted to be different, created to reveal the expression of a year’s specific character, captured uniquely as only the House of Krug can. There are as many stories as there are Krug Vintages.
At first sight, a subtle yellow gold colour highlights a reserved finesse.
On the nose; there are notes of citrus, plum, liquid honey and
brioche.
On the palate; fresh summer fruits, surprising red grapefruit along with candied peel, roast chestnut and caramelized apple tart.
The expression of the year 2003 as revealed by Krug: a story of vivacious radiance.
Krug 2003 is an adventure of unexpected freshness, delicious intensity and astonishing finesse - far from the preconceived ideas about an over-heated year.
Respect for the individual expression of every plot very unique to Krug craftsmanship – allowed the House to discover the beauties of nature and create Krug 2003.
Krug 2003 is among other hot years revealed by Krug such as Krug 1959, 1962, 1976, 1979 and 1989.
As with all Krug Champagnes, Krug 2003 will continue to gain with the passage of time.
A year of many circumstances: dry winter and spring, premature blooming, frosts and very hot summer.
A very long harvest, the longest in living memory: from August - the earliest since 1822 - until October.
Small yields, healthy grapes, extremely varied level of maturity, over and under-ripeness, the latter due to vines stopping their maturation as a form of self-protection from the heat.
Food Match
Dishes involving quince and citrus fruit, such as veal, lamb and quince tagine, fine fish and/or shellfish with citrus-based sauces, oysters au gratin. Recipes with spices, cinnamon, curry are good options, and for dessert, a delicious bread pudding with redcurrant coulis or citrus gratin.
Why 2003
Krug decided to create a vintage for this particular year and named it Vivacious Radiance to relate a story of a hot year that surprised Krug with unexpected freshness and fruit in some of the plot’s wines.
Krug 2003 is a blend of selected wines of the year, from many different plots.
It is a dialogue of rich Chardonnays (29%), fresh and balanced Pinot Noirs (46%) giving structure and body combined with vivacious Meuniers (25%) selected from many villages.
The finesse and elegance of Krug 2003 is enhanced by close to ten years in the cellars.