Krug Vintage 2006

Originally launched in October 2019, these bottles were released by Krug in December 2024 and have a freshness and intensity that comes with perfect storage.

For the long run Krug 2006 will turn out the best champagne produced in this warm, ripe, big vintage. It is one of the few 2006s that has a perfect balance of structure, body and freshness. It will greatly improve with ageing and has a very long life ahead. It can be approached now as it is delicious and not characterised by the oxidative harshness of young Krug vintages of 20 years ago. From a tasting note in 2020 the following aromas are noteworthy: It smells of toasted almonds, tarte tatin aux poires, mandarien liqueur and praline. On the palate there is nougat, frangipani, candied orange peel and pink grapefruit.

Antonio Galloni 97 vinous.com  Krug 2006 Vintage is bright, tense and full of energy. Lemon confit, pastry, chamomile, dried flowers and tangerine oil all race out of the glass. The breadth of the Pinot comes through on the mid-palate and finish, as the 2006 gains power and resonance with a bit of aeration. Light tropical inflections, along with hints of almond and spice, open up later, adding further shades of nuance...

Jane Anson 97 decanter.com  From the first whiff, the Krug 2006 has an alluring array of delectable scents, ranging from subtle notes of smoked almonds and flowers to gentle spices including curry and caraway. On the palate, the mouthfeel is generous and plush but has an underlying tannic tension to it, and finishes with a refreshing, nuanced bitter note. Its combination of freshness and power provide the right material to stay the distance of a decade or two.

Krug stands out among the top houses by using Pinot Meunier that others have banned from their prestige cuvees and the 2006 uses 20 % in the blend with 45 % pinot Noir and 35 % chardonnay. Krug buys grapes from 80 year old vines in Leuvrigny und Sainte Gemme that have none of the usual meunier fruit but are firm, aromatically closed and ageworthy. Few pinot noir from the Grande Vallee has beeen used in 2006 with most coming from Ambonnay and Verzenay but also a signifcant part from Les Riceys, while the chardonnay comes mainly from Trepail, Mamery, Avize, Le Mesnil, Oger and Cramant.