Wine Advisor
Krug, Vintage Brut 2000
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: David Schildknecht
The Krug vintage 2000 Brut smells strikingly redolent of sea breeze, kelp, and piles of oyster and mussel shells, allied to lemon oil and toasted hazelnuts. On the palate, the aforementioned elements serve for compulsive salivation, while a lusciously juicy amalgam of lime, grapefruit and apple tinged with piquancy of their pips buoys the salty wave of mineral matter into a profoundly protracted finish that bursts with brightness and at the same time reveals mouthwateringly savory crab shell reduction and a hitherto largely hidden dark side of smoky Latakia tobacco, dark-roasted coffee, and toasted grains. Expect this to merit following for 12-15 years. Krug – part of the Louis-Vuitton-Moet-Hennessy luxury goods empire since 1999 – continues to release wines fully worthy of their house’s exalted reputation that reflect inter alia the effects of micro-vinification in barrel and an (in the best sense) laissez-faire and leisurely attitude toward elevage and bottle-aging. (Although – for what little this may be worth – count me among those who find the metalicized labels that now adorn their bottles glitzy, and as such slightly incongruous with their contents). Director Olivier Krug represents his family’s sixth generation, assisted by veteran cellarmaster Eric Lebel and oenologist Julie Cavil. Most Champagne lovers will realize that each bottle from Krug nowadays comes with an identification number enabling the consumer to research its approximate disgorgement date – and sometimes other details specific to the bottle in question – via the house’s web site; but in keeping with the convention established for my reports, I have only referenced this number for the purpose of disambiguating non-vintage cuvees. Imported by Moet Hennessy, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown
The 2000 vintage has a really pretty floral / peach blossom nose with nuances of chopped nuts, spiced apple slices, coriander seed and a touch of anise. The palate is elegantly fruited offering very crisp acid and a long finish with some of the baking spices coming through. This vintage is blended of 45% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Meunier.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug’s 2000 Brut Vintage is very understated and cool. It boasts gorgeous textural finesse and layers of effortless fruit. This is an especially vibrant, floral Champagne for Krug that impresses for its fine balance and sensual personality. Even better, the 2000 drinks well right out of the gate, unlike 1995 and 1996. A superb, caressing finish laced with green pears, spices, flowers and almonds leaves a lasting impression. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030. I tasted a wide range of wines during my visit to Krug this year, including several versions of the Grande Cuvee that have temporary proprietary names meant to distinguish each release, including the ‘Equilibre’ (1998 base) and ‘Savoir Faire’ (2001 base). The wines still don’t carry disgorgement dates (and probably never) will, but this is a step forward. Yes, the corks have a code that indicates an approximate disgorgement date range, but that is of no use until a bottle is opened. Still, the proprietary name concept is clever, unique and does achieve the purpose of distinguishing each release of the Grande Cuvee. I hope Krug makes the decision to market the next release of their Grande Cuvee with a proprietary name. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug's 2000 Brut Vintage is just beginning to hit its stride. Hints of pastry, butter, toasted almonds, dried pears and apricots are all woven together beautifully in this distinctive, gorgeous Champagne. All the Krug signatures come to life beautifully in the glass. The 2000 is still quite young, especially if readers are looking for more tertiary complexity and nuance. At the same time. I don't think the 2000 will ever be one of the most explosive wines made at this historic property, but it offers considerable medium-term appeal and plenty of personality. This is a great showing from Krug. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2040. There are no new vintage wines from Krug, but is always interesting to revisit these wines as they develop so much over time. The biggest news at Krug is the addition of ID Codes to the NV wines, which gives readers the opportunity to get more information on the wines (including disgorgement dates) through Krug's website. It would be great to see more of the larger houses follow suit. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Brioche, dried pear, smoke, almonds, chamomile and wild herbs are all laced together in Krug's 2000 Vintage. A wine of striking depth and resonance, the 2000 is absolutely gorgeous today. The first signs of very early tertiary complexity have begun to appear while the acidity is softening, both of which make the 2000 delicious today. At the same time, there is no hurry. I imagine the 2000 will still be gorgeous 20 years from now. Slight elements of reduction linger on the close. The blend is 43% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Meunier, a rare vintage in which Chardonnay is quite high. ID 313041.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug's 2000 Vintage is only now beginning to enter the first plateau of its early maturity. A silky, totally gracious Champagne, the 2000 turns more explosive with air. Floral and brioche notes add complexity over time in a striking wine loaded with nuance and complexity. The 2000 still needs time for the flavors to fully develop. Today it is the wine's superb texture and pure breed that impress most. The 2000 can be enjoyed now and over the next 20+ years. This is one of the best showings I can recall for the 2000.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2000 Vintage is just beginning to develop hints of tertiary complexity. Dried peach, pear, almond, honey and spice notes flesh out beautifully on the glass. The 2000 is a fairly open Vintage texturally, but if given a choice, my preference would be to give the wine a few years in bottle to allow the flavors to develop a bit more than they are today. Right now, the 2000 is in an awkward place where it is neither young nor old, a stage in a wine's development that is hardly ever fully satisfying. ID 311029 - LLLLZX
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug's 2000 Brut Vintage is just beginning to hit its stride. Hints of pastry, butter, toasted almonds, dried pears and apricots are all woven together beautifully in this distinctive, gorgeous Champagne. All the Krug signatures come to life beautifully in the glass. The 2000 is still quite young, especially if readers are looking for more tertiary complexity and nuance. At the same time. I don't think the 2000 will ever be one of the most explosive wines made at this historic property, but it offers considerable medium-term appeal and plenty of personality. This is a great showing from Krug.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug's 2000 Brut Vintage is very understated and cool. It boasts gorgeous textural finesse and layers of effortless fruit. This is an especially vibrant, floral Champagne for Krug that impresses for its fine balance and sensual personality. Even better, the 2000 drinks well right out of the gate, unlike 1995 and 1996. A superb, caressing finish laced with green pears, spices, flowers and almonds leaves a lasting impression.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(LD210008): Bright gold. Pungent aromas of candied orange, buttered toast, pear skin and vanilla, with a smoky nuance that gains power in the glass. Stains the palate with intense pear liqueur, citrus pith and brioche flavors, picking up notes of licorice and candied ginger with air. A bright mineral note adds lift and energy to the finish, which clings with superb tenacity and lingering smokiness. This complex, concentrated Champagne is showing very well right now but has the legs to age for years to come.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(LD210008): Light gold. A heady, complex bouquet evokes orange peel, poached pear, rye bread, honey and toffee, with gingerbread and smoke nuances. Deeply concentrated but energetic, offering intense, chewy orchard and citrus fruit flavors and suggestions of buttered toast, candied fig and anise. The smoky quality comes back strong on the finish, which displays superb breadth, energy and persistence. Showing plenty of early complexity for a vintage Krug but there's the requisite depth and power here to suggest that patience will be rewarded, or at the very least tolerated.
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.
