The producer
In the constellation of stars of Champagne, Krug must be the brightest. Certainly, the most expensive as Krug often starts where the others peak and is today the only Champagne house to make only prestige champagnes every year since its foundation in 1843. The single vineyard wines are up there among the finest from Bordeaux and Burgundy in both quality and price.
Much is made of the mystery of the Krug quality and consistency. They only own 35% of the vineyards that produce the wines but have very close relationship with their 100-odd growers. They effect 250 separate fermentations each vintage, initially in seasoned oak (but they downplay any unique influence therefrom), building a unique collection of over 150 reserve wines whence the blend for Grand Cuvee wines are produced.
The range extends from Grand Cuvee, Rose, and Vintage to the individual vineyard wines from arguably the best villages for Chardonnay with its Clos de Mesnil, and Pinot Noir with Clos d’Ambonnay. Rigorous selection, fastidious winemaking, and a touch of genius in blending make Krug the undisputed king of Champagnes.
The wine
Vintage Krug is a small percentage of the total production of the house and decision on which to produce is more on the character of the potential rather than the overall quality of the year. The blend for each Vintage Cuvee will also vary to express the season rather than any definitive style. Krug also bucks the normal prestige cuvee norm of using little or no Pinot Meunier and most vintage wines contain a decent slug albeit from some of the finest sources.
These are wines with extraordinary longevity. There was a period when Krug released a range of Vintage Collection wines with wines decades old tasting with the blinding vivacity of the current releases.