This wine is of very limited quantity. As such, the Digital Somm did not get a taste, but you can! Unfortunately, while that means there is limited detailed information and no Digital Somm recommendations associated with rating the wine, you do still receive loyalty points, so cheer up!
Chardonnay may be the most versatile white wine grape, often seen as a blank canvas. It displays various flavors and aromas depending on where it is grown and more specifically, how it is made. It can range in Palate Character from Bright & Crisp to Rich & Full depending on the climate. It is also particularly malleable and highly affected by winemaking choices like as malolactic fermentation, lees stirring, barrel fermentation and ageing practices.
Pinot Noir
Pee-NO NWAR
Pinot Noir is arguably the most revered grape variety in the world with origins in Burgundy, France where the best expressions can still be found. Pinot Noir is not only a tough grape to grow, it also shows miniscule differences in terroir arguably more than any other grape variety. Stylistically, it is generally higher in acid and lower in tannin but can vary depending on the location, and winemaking technique. It is very versatile with food, and shows a range of flavor from red and black fruit, floral, spice, earth, and mineral qualities.
Joseph Krug started Krug in 1840 with the vision of making great Champagne every vintage, thwarting the vagaries that Mother Nature inevitably imparts from one year to the next. The early focus was on terroir and sourcing small plots—a practice that remains today. Even though the estate is now under the LVMH umbrella, it is still run with the ethos of Olivier Krug.
While Krug owns 19 Hectares, including the 1.84 hectare Clos du Mesnil, they source their grapes from a myriad of longtime grape-growing partners’ small plots. Uncommonly, the vinification takes place in 25-year-old 205 liter barriques. This is both a stylistic and practical choice given the degree of small plots that are separately vinified When Krug blends, especially for their famed multi-vintage bottling, 30-50% might be sourced from past vintages, and the process may include tasting upwards of 300 wines to achieve their consistent house style.
The Krug style is unique. Across the board, the wines combine an incredible balance of power and finesse with incredibly complex fruit, nut aromas, and flavors punctuated by a formidably long finish.