KRUG
2004 Brut
Grapes | Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay |
Colour | White |
Origin | France, Champagne |
ABV | 12.5% |
Relatively restrained, even a bit grumpy, aromas display prominent petrol aromas where background hints of green apple, quinine, citrus rind and a floral whiff can be found. The palate impression is consistent with the nose as it is compact and while I like the energy as the mousse is both abundant and refined, there isn’t a lot of depth on the very dry finale where a touch of bitter pit fruit character emerges. It’s not clear whether more time is necessarily going to help but that’s what I would suggest as today the ’04 isn’t singing so might as well wait 3 to 5 years and give it another try. Drinking range: 2027 - Rating: 92 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Oct 2024)
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From a fresh vintage and internally nicknamed "Luminous Freshness," Krug's light golden colored 2004 Brut is brighter on the nose than the 2002 that I tasted next to it. There are fresh, candied citrus as well as ripe yellow-fleshed fruit aromas along with floral and lots of chalky notes on the well-concentrated bouquet. The palate is incredibly fruity, vibrantly fresh yet delicate and very well balanced and is provided with great elegance, texture, finesse and remarkable mineral tension. The 2004—a blend of Chardonnay (39%), Pinot Noir (37%) and Pinot Meunier (24%)—is completely built on freshness and taut yet balanced vitality. It is the last of the second trilogy in the history of the House, the first being 1988, 1989 and 1990 and the second 2002, 2003 and 2004 Drinking range: 2018 - 2034 Rating: 96+ Stephan Reinhart, The Wine Advocate, erobertparker.com (Jun 2018)
Krug's 2004 Vintage is absolutely mesmerizing. Layers of bright, chiseled fruit open up effortlessly as the wine fleshes out with time in the glass. Persistent and beautifully focused, with a translucent sense of energy, the 2004 captures all the best qualities of the year. Moreover, the 2004 is clearly superior to the consistently underwhelming 2002 and the best Krug Vintage since 1996. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical bottle. Rating: 97+ Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Dec 2017)
Krug
The grandest of the Grande Marques. Johann-Joseph Krug, who was born in Mainz, founded Champagne Krug in 1843, having previously worked at Jacquesson and marrying Adolphe Jacquesson's sister-in-law. The Company is still controlled by the Krug family - Olivier Krug being the current incumbent - although ownership was sold to LVMH in 1999. Krug are the only House to barrel ferment all their wines - in "de-seasoned" 205 litre casks of Argonne oak. The rich Krug style also comes from prolonged lees ageing and the very high proportion of reserve wines in the blend.
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