2003 Champagne

Krug released the 2003 vintage of the incredibly rare Clos du Mesnil, with a real appeal to avid collectors. Clos du Mesnil comes from a single walled vineyard of Chardonnay vines in Mesnil-Sur-Oger. Krug produces one of the purest expressions of a 100% Chardonnay Champagne that you will ever have the pleasure of tasting. Only available through a strict allocation process due to the tiny quantities (only 8671 individually numbered bottles of 2003 available in the world), this is an incredibly rare Champagne.

2003 is a year that offered abundant warmth and produced generously styled Champagne. This has played perfectly in to the hands of the Krug house style and as such their wine is among the best of the vintage, with wonderful richness and depth. These are presented in a wooden case.
Few wine lovers would disagree with the sentiment that Krug sits firmly atop the Champagne tree. In 1843, Joseph Krug set out with a singular aim; to craft the finest expression of Champagne every year, irrespective of conditions. A cuvee he simply named, Numéro 1.
Chris Pollington, Fine Wine Account Manager

For me, Krug is more than a Champagne. It is a word that stands for artistry, tradition, craftsmanship, and moments of pure pleasure… All Krug's wines are small masterworks, and although Grande Cuvée may be lighter and fresher than its predecessor, Private Cuvée, after a few extra years in the cellar it outshines the competitors' vintage Champagnes… If the opportunity arises, never miss the chance to drink a Krug!
Richard Juhlin

The wine has a typical Dom Perignon nose: slightly toasty, some liminess and maybe some very cool honey. It immediately exudes class – you know there is something intense to come – and there is also a hint of something Chassagne or Puligny-esque. And in the mouth it gets better – the mousse is very fine and the wine achieves a remarkable balance of intensity and delicacy. The core of fruit has a focussed power, though with silkiness all around – there really is an impression of floating – and this is definitely rather special, with a persistence of fruit that impresses all the way through. And, even at ten in the morning, it was incredibly moreish. This wine may well keep and develop for many years – indeed this may turn out to be one of the truly great DPs - but, even now, it begs to be drunk. Beautiful.
BBR Fine Wine, February 2012

Krug was established in 1843 and has since specialised in producing only prestige and specialised Champagnes. It is the only firm still producing all its Champagne in small oak casks, an essential element for developing Krug's intense bouquet and complex flavours.

This was a complicated vintage across Europe, so the quality of this wine is testament to Krug's fastidious selection of only the very best sites and grapes. Initially, it tasted of classic brioche notes, hints of honey and a touch of pear, too, though it was the wine’s sheer delicious volume that struck me most. Utterly gorgeous in weight, a delicious creamy mouthful, and while it is ready to go now it will be intriguing to watch how it ages; there’s freshness there to see it develop well into the 2020s.