The Champagne that were tested were as follows:
- Krug Grand Cuvee (Jereboam sized bottle)
- Krug 1981
- Krug 1982 Selection
- Krug 1985 (magnum)
- Krug 1988
- Krug 1989
- Krug 1989 selection
An amazing selection that had been gathered by Frank Sanden.
We all had our different favourites but we all agreed it was a fantastic evening. Below follows some explanations from the website as well as personal notes.
Krug Grande Cuvée is the archetype of Krug’s philosophy of craftsmanship and savoir faire: A blend of around 120 wines from ten or more different vintages, some of which may reach 15 years of age. Blending so many vintages gives Krug Grande Cuvée its unique fullness of flavours and aromas, its incredible generosity and its absolute elegance - something impossible to express with the wines of just a single year. Its exceptional finesse is the result of a stay of at least another six years in the cellars. Over twenty years are needed to craft each bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée: the first prestige cuvee re-created each year, beyond the very notion of vintage.
Unique to the House of Krug, every Krug Vintage is crafted to be different, to reveal the expression of a particular year. A year with character, a year with a special story to tell in a way that Krug alone can relate. To narrate this story, Krug has blended very expressive wines from a single year, enhanced by a stay of over ten years in the cellars. Krug Vintage is the story of a year as seen by Krug; there are as many stories as there are Krug Vintages.
Time’s second revelation of Krug Vintage. A very limited number of bottles of each Krug Vintage are kept in ideal conditions at the House of Krug cellars. Tasted and appraised, they are waiting to blossom into a second life, a life that exalts time and reveals a new facet of this Champagne. Krug Vintage thus becomes Krug Collection. Time then takes on a new, hitherto unknown meaning.
The Krug Grand Cuvee had a medium golden colour and wonderful smell of apricot, lime and newly baked bread. The acidity was just lovely with a long solid taste.
The 1981 was compared to 1982 Selection which was a comparison of two different worlds. The first (possible over the hill) was old and sherry like with hints of caramel, apricot, honey and mushrooms. The 1982 however was much younger and more sitrus character. Very nice balance and perhaps even too young to be drunk right now.
The 1985 magnum looke like lager beer on the colour with a boquet dominated by apricot, honey, citrus, truffle and some citruspeels. Not money bubbles to be seen but definitely there on the palate. Very good acidity and great balance.
The 1988 expressed a medium golden colour with quite an expressive sherry smell again. Here the minerality of the wine was quite expressive as well as enormous acidity. A truly great vintage.
The 1989 vintage was compared to 1989 selection and here again the selcetion was by far the best due to it's younger form. Again the sherry like nose with small bubbles and a massive acidity.When it comes to the 89 selection I leave the word to the Krug website again:
Deep intense golden yellow colour that announces maturity, opulence, harmony and elegance
Exotic, complex nose consisting of honey with spices and white fruits, truffle, earth, slightly browned apples, a hint of high-toned flowers, yeast, and a gentle nuttiness in the background
Deep palate with bright, high youthful tones of pear, green apple, citrus fruits marmalade, fresh figs and even a touch of earth with a finish which goes on and on with undertones of mineral and spices.
Exotic, complex nose consisting of honey with spices and white fruits, truffle, earth, slightly browned apples, a hint of high-toned flowers, yeast, and a gentle nuttiness in the background
Deep palate with bright, high youthful tones of pear, green apple, citrus fruits marmalade, fresh figs and even a touch of earth with a finish which goes on and on with undertones of mineral and spices.
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