- Firmly structured, acidic, closed
- A classic, large vintage jug for collectors, which will still be fresh in 2060.
Krug 2008 is a classic Krug vintage. It has an impressive structure and intense acidity. Aromatically, it is barely developed. The last Krug that was similarly restrained when young was 1996. The 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2011 vintages will certainly benefit from ageing, but already show a new style that is no longer as uncompromisingly harsh as Krug used to be when young. It speaks well for Krug that they have decided to dedicate this vintage entirely to the patient connoisseur. Patience means ten years plus, or better still fifteen. It almost goes without saying that it will still be a great experience in 50 years' time. It is always surprising how well champagne ages, despite the shallower corks compared to wine. Krug 1928, for example, is still great today.
The vintage at Krug is clearly dominated by red varieties: 53% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay, 25% Meunier. The terroirs are typical, as Krug has access to extremely old vines with low yields. Pinot Noir: Ambonnay, Aÿ, Bouzy, Mareuil-sur-Aÿ | Chardonnay: Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Trépail, Villers-Marmery | Meunier: Coulommes-la-Montagne, Saint Gemme, Villevenard. Meunier is rather the exception in prestige cuvées, but the extremely old Meunier vines whose grapes Krug uses have nothing to do with the typical fruity Meunier style.
The success of 2008 seems paradoxical. It was one of the coolest years in recent decades. It also had less sunshine. But the autumn was perfect. The grapes ripened very slowly over a very long period.;
