Wine Advisor
Krug, Vintage Brut 1988
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A moderate straw colour. A transcendental minerally, brioche-tinged bouquet that is brilliantly defined. Lovely balance on the intense palate that has spine-tingling crispness and a citrus, tinned apricot tinged, taut finish with a touch of passion fruit on the finish. An exquisite Krug: one of the greats. Tasted February 2003.
Reviewed by: William Kelley
Krug's 1988 Brut has long numbered among my very favorite vintages for this house, with the best bottles flirting with a three-digit score. Offering up complex aromas of apricot, citrus oil, candied peal, toasted brioche and honeycomb, it's full-bodied, concentrated and incisive, with a deep, layered and tightly wound core, racy acids and a searingly chalky finish. If on release the 1988 got less attention than the more immediate, head-turning 1990 and 1989 vintages, with time it is proving itself the most serious of those three consecutive releases.
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
Opulent hazelnut, brioche and apple strudel aromas on the nose with a faint whiff of chalk dust. The palate is restrained and notably taut for Krug with high acidity and tightly wound roasted nut, stone fruit and toasted croissant flavours. Fine, frisky bubbles and a long praline finish. Drink now – 2020. Tasted January 2009.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Tasted at a hotel in Zurich, this remains a stunning Krug. Deep and lucid in colour, it retains that show-stopping, honeyed bouquet with breathtaking definition, offering hints of cut lime, cooking apple, cold granite, citrus lemon and a hint of walnut. The palate is taut, driven by vibrant acidity, hints of passion fruit and white peach, but at its heart is that sense of precision and poise. The finish has a beguiling candied quality that flirts daringly and beckons another sip. Heavenly and perhaps starting to drink at its peak. Tasted November 2009.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
One the great modern-day Krug vintages, the 1988 does not disappoint. Ordered off the hotel list in Zurich, it has a deep greeny/gold allure, the bouquet honeyed and rich with touches of hazelnut and a touch of almond with brilliant definition. The palate is approaching full maturity, again with breathtaking definition with what feels like some botrytized fruit with its tincture of honey. Perfect acidity with a sense of symmetry and naturalness on the finish, those hints of walnut reminding me of a fine, mature Meursault. Wonderful. Drink now-2018+ Tasted November 2009.
About the Producer
The House was established in Reims in 1843, by Joseph Krug, a visionary non-conformist with an uncompromising philosophy. Having understood that the true essence of Champagne is pleasure itself, his dream was to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Paying close attention to the vineyard’s character, respecting the individuality of each plot and its wine, as well as building an extensive library of reserve wines from many different years allowed Joseph Krug to fulfil his dream. With a very original approach to Champagne making, he decided to go beyond the notion of vintage to create the most generous expression of Champagne, every year. Thus, he founded a House in which all Champagnes are of the same level of distinction. Six generations of the Krug family have perpetuated this dream, enriching the founder’s vision and savoir faire.
