Credits: Article and images by Ken Gargett @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/10/27/its-champagne-day-with-krug-pop-the-cork-and-cheers/
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First up was a wine that is nearly unicorn status, the 1990 Clos de Mesnil. This is a single site blanc de blancs. Some will argue that Salon or Taittinger’s Comtes is the leading blanc de blancs from Champagne.
1990 Clos de Mesnil champagne
It hardly matters. Personal preference at these levels. But it is hard to imagine anything topping this wine. Incredibly complex with a crème brulee texture, layered with stonefruit, ginger, a hint of shortbread and honey.
Krug Clos de Mesnil 1990
Full of life and exhibiting great length. Still so alive and so long. A stunning wine with a never-ending finish. As I mentioned, all these wines got full marks, but if one can say that this was a better 100 than some (yes, that makes no sense), it certainly was.
2002 was released after the 2003 as it needed more time, and for me, it is a far superior wine. The blend is Pinot Noir (40%), Chardonnay (39%) and Meunier (21%), with 12 years on lees. Notes of citrus, limes, orange rind, roast nuts, cream, spices, ginger and stonefruit. Immaculately balanced, it surely has at least a twenty-year future ahead of it. Wow, what a champagne!
Krug 1995 vintage champagne
We looked at the wines out of chronological order, so as they would best match the cuisine. 1995 was up next. Any other day, this was a wine that would have blown us away. Hazelnuts and orange rinds, glacéd lemon, shortbread and floral notes. Great length, fine balance and a champagne that maintains its intensity.
A decade or two at least, in good cellars. Wonderful. The blend is Chardonnay (35%), Pinot Noir (48%) and Meunier (17%). If nothing else, one look at the various cépages of these champagnes and any suggestion that Meunier should be ignored goes out the window.
1996 is often compared to 1928. Not much more needs be said. The blend is Chardonnay (31%), Pinot Noir (48%) and Meunier (21%). The wine is focused, incredibly long, classic and never-ending. Hazelnuts, crisp pears, glacéd fruits, a hint of coffee bean and honey. This has so many great years ahead of it.
Krug Collection 1985 champagne
Finally, a magnum of the 1985 Krug Collection. 1985 has always been one of my favorite years, with the Pinot Noir based champagnes especially good. A small vintage but a great one. The blend is Pinot Noir (48%), Chardonnay (30%) and Meunier (22%). The immediate impression for me was lemon cheesecake, covered in rich, black cherries. A wonderful champagne with a decade ahead.
All up, a day to remember forever. Having Olivier and Clemence with us to enjoy the champagnes and provide their expertise, the incredible generosity of not only our hosts but everyone who brought such great bottles, helped make it so special. The third Sunday in October will forever be, for us, Krug Day.
After: A cornucopia of dead bottles of Krug champagne
Wherever you are and whatever champagne you are drinking, I hope you celebrate Champagne Day in the best way possible.
For more information, please visit https://champagneday.champagne.fr/
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Bollinger RD 2008 Champagne: One of the Greatest Wines from a Sensational Vintage
Champagne And Caviar: A Great Culinary Combination Or Just One Excess On Top Of Another?
Credits: Article and images by Ken Gargett @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/10/27/its-champagne-day-with-krug-pop-the-cork-and-cheers/
