Wine Advisor
Krug, Vintage Brut 1996
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The baby Krug -96 is still showing a little unresolved oak on the steely nose, with hints of flint, Granny Smith apples and citrus lemon. Brilliant delineation. The palate is crisp and electrifying upon entry, almost viscous in texture in the middle with inflections of orange peel and pink grapefruit leading to a finish that is Zen-like (a la Salon -96.) As I say, just a baby, but it will blossom into something really special. Drink 2012-2020+. Tasted December 2007.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Krug Vintage remains one of the greatest Champagnes ever made. It is also far less expensive than either the Clos du Mesnil or Clos d’Ambonnay but equally as delicious. This bottle is stratospheric, with layers of explosive fruit that flow effortlessly to the multi-dimensional, captivating finish. It is another eternal Champagne from Krug.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Vintage explodes from the glass with heady aromas that lead to a richly-textured expression of fruit. There is superb depth and richness, as endless layers of candied apricots, quince, pears, spices and toasted nuts continue to emerge from the glass. Later on, notes of almonds and lemon peel make an appearance, adding further complexity. This powerful, remarkably complete Champagne offers tremendous balance and the potential to continue to develop in bottle for two decades, if not considerably longer. Those fortunate enough to own this wine should be thrilled! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2026. My visit to Krug in November was illuminating, as I spent several hours tasting through a number of 2008 vins claires and reserve wines with Director of the Maison Olivier Krug and Director of OEnology Eric Lebel. Although Krug ages its young wines exclusively in French oak barrels, these wines were remarkably pure and transparent; suggesting that much of the signature Krug toastiness may come from the extended period the wines spend on their lees rather than from the oak. Over the yeas many of the most monumental, mind-bending Champagnes I have had have emerged from these cellars in Reims. Krug boasts an extraordinarily rich history along with a superb track record. In a recent tasting that included most, if not all, of the top 1996s, the Krug Vintage and Clos du Mesnil were at the very top of the pack. Along with making profound wines, under the direction of the charming Olivier Krug this venerable estate has pushed the boundaries on pricing to levels never seen before. The newest wine from Krug is the 100% Pinot Noir Clos d’Ambonnay. Sadly, that wine is priced for billionaires, not mortals. Krug does not provide disgorgement dates for its wines, something which is a serious shortcoming considering the lofty prices these bottles fetch. The corks are stamped with a code which can be traced back to a disgorgement lot and date, but that will be of little use to consumers once bottles are opened. It would be great to see Krug take a leadership position among the region’s grands marques and add disgorgement dates to its labels. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The real surprise among Krug’s 1996s is the 1996 Vintage, which is drinking beautifully, even among this rarified air of single-vineyard Champagnes. The 1996 Vintage is explosive and creamy, with just the right balance of power, richness and freshness. The mousse is perhaps just a touch less refined than in the 1996 Clos du Mesnil and Clos d’Ambonnay, but it is also perfectly measured with the wine’s exuberant personality. This multi-dimensional, textured Champagne is at the early part of its drinking window and promises to deliver an incredible drinking experience over the coming decades. The take-away from this flight of 1996s from Krug is simple. Although the 1996 Vintage can’t possibly be described as inexpensive, it shows exceptionally well next to its much more expensive brethren and clearly delivers a similar level of quality. Readers who have the opportunity to pick up this wine should not hesitate. It is a gem. No disgorgement date provided. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2036. My tasting this year with Olivier Krug was fascinating as I had the rare opportunity to taste all of the house’s 1996’s side by side, a comparison that yielded very interesting results. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
Repeating is fantastic showing in Baltimore last year, this remains a benchmark Krug. This bottle actually tastes more -vintage- than the previous wine, with apple, citrus fruits but also a touch of walnut and pear that I did not remark upon last time. The palate has nigh perfect balance, less -Salon- like than the previous bottle, a little -warmer- and more inviting, perhaps slightly more oxidative in style. Still a brilliant Krug for long-term cellaring-if you want. Drink 2010-2020+. Tasted September 2008.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Krug Vintage is explosive on the palate, as layers of aromas and flavors meld together in a stunning display of elegance and power. This pure, sensual beauty is utterly rapturous. The relatively generous style of this wine makes it hard to resist today, but it will age for decades. This is a brilliant wine in every way.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Not to be forgotten is the 1996 Vintage, which is currently just as explosive and hedonistic as it has always been. It is truly a wine for the ages.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
It has been a while since we met, but the Krug 1996 is unequivocally a brilliant slice of champagne – the nose cut from some slab of limestone that must of plummeted into the Champagne countryside from outer space. The palate is rapier like acidity, life-affirming mineralite and a focus and freshness that is nothing less than thrilling. Krug is one of life’s great pleasures and this is one of their finest vintages. Tasted November 2012.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Sadly, the 1996 Vintage is a bad bottle, and I choose not to serve it.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Sadly, the same can’t be said for the 1996 Krug, which is a bit more forward and oxidative than it usually is.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Vintage is magnificent. A towering, explosive Champagne, the 1996 delivers the house’s signature breadth in a full-bodied, structured Champagne with enough pure density and acidity to age well for decades. Warm nutty and spiced overtones add nuance on the finish. The 1996 is just beginning to enter the early part of its mature stage, where it is sure to remain for several decades. Krug's Vintage is one of the truly epic wines of the year.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug’s 1996 Vintage is insanely beautiful. Vivid, alive and vibrant, the 1996 presents searing intensity and power. What a privilege it is to taste the 1996 from magnum. Readers who might still be able to find the 1996 at a reasonable price should not hesitate.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Vintage was the only wine I tasted that did not show well. Our bottle seemed to lack the energy and focus that are such a big part of what makes this Champagne so special
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
This flight of 1996s provided plenty of context. The 1996 Krug Vintage remains one of the greatest Champagnes ever made. It is also far less expensive than either the Clos du Mesnil or Clos d'Ambonnay but equally as delicious. This bottle is stratospheric, with layers of explosive fruit that flow effortlessly to the multi-dimensional, captivating finish. It is another eternal Champagne from Krug.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Not to be forgotten is the 1996 Vintage, which is currently just as explosive and hedonistic as it has always been. It is truly a wine for the ages.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
No tasting note provided.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The real surprise among Krug's 1996s is 1996 Vintage, which is drinking beautifully, even among this rarified air of single-vineyard Champagnes. The 1996 Vintage is explosive, rich and creamy, with just the right balance of power, richness and freshness. The mousse is perhaps just a touch less refined than in the 1996 Clos de Mesnil and Clos d'Ambonnay, but it is also perfectly measured with the wine's exuberant personality. This multi-dimensional, textured Champagne is at the early part of its drinking window and promises to deliver an incredible drinking experience over the coming decades. The take-away from this flight of 1996s from Krug is simple. Although the 1996 Vintage can't possibly be described as inexpensive, it shows exceptionally well next to its much more expensive brethren and clearly delivers a similar level of quality. Readers who have the opportunity to pick up this wine should not hesitateY. It is a gem.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Vintage was staggering in its richness, depth and sheer density. It was every bit the monumental Champagne its reputation suggests.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The two wines from Krug are simply breathtaking. The 1996 Krug Vintage is explosive on the palate, as layers of aromas and flavors meld together in a stunning display of elegance and power. This pure, sensual beauty is utterly rapturous. The relatively generous style of this wine makes it hard to resist today, but it will age for decades. This is a brilliant wine in every way.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 1996 Vintage explodes from the glass with heady aromas that lead to a richly-textured expression of fruit. There is superb depth and richness here, as endless layers of candied apricots, quince, pears, spices and toasted continue to emerge from the glass. Later on notes of almonds and lemon peel make an appearance, adding further complexity. This powerful, remarkably complete Champagne offers tremendous balance and the potential to continue to develop in bottle for two decades, if not considerably longer. Those fortunate enough to own this wine should be thrilled!
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The peaks among the 1996s arrived fairly early with two profound wines from Krug. The 1996 Krug Vintage was monumental, large-scaled and exuberant, with tons of density and richness. I was prepared to declare this one of the greatest Champagnes I had ever tasted, but then the 1996 Krug Clos du Mesnil appeared and I was at a loss for words. This wine of staggering richness and depth revealed breathtaking clarity and definition in an elegant and incredibly refined style.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
Light gold. Remarkably perfumed nose projects an exotic bouquet of deep, leesy yellow fruit, minerals, honeycomb, smoked meat and flowers, with Asian spices building expanding in the glass. Almost painfully concentrated, offering a surreal parade of orchard and pit fruits, smoked meat, toasted brioche and marrow braced by intensely salty, stunningly incisive minerality. Imagine a Frankenstein's monster of Chablis Le Clos and Clos Ste. Hune-but one with perfect balance, of course-and you get an idea of what I found in my bottle. The energetic, stony character builds exponentially on the finish, which didn't seem to, well, finish. The best analogy I can come up with for the intensity, focus and clarity of this Champagne is liquefied barbed wire. Utterly hallucinatory and one of the most amazing wines I've ever been fortunate enough to drink. At the risk of sounding completely out of touch with reality, this is a value.
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.
