Handford Wines

Established in 1843, Krug has specialized in solely prestige and exceptional champagnes. Dedication to quality takes precedence over quantity of production. Using traditional methods the House of Krug does not compromise time or expense with their cuvées. Krug is the only Champagne House still fermenting all of its champagnes the age-old way-in small oak casks necessary for developing Krug's intense bouquet and complex flavor. Today, Henri, Rémi, Olivier and Caroline, the 5th and 6th generations of the Krug family, oversee every phase of production. The taste of Krug is greatly enhanced by an exceptionally long period of maturation (6 to 8 years) in the Krug cellars before release. This requires, of course, maintaining a stock covering at least six years of sales, a practice unparalleled in Champagne.

The Wine

"Krug Grande Cuvée is as a symphony, a composition where the instruments all play together, complementing each other in total harmony," says winemaker Henri Krug. Krug par Excellence - The flagship of the house, Grande Cuvée is imposing in character from the first moment in the glass. The "birth" of Krug Grande Cuvée, through its first fermentation exclusively in small oak casks, ensures the unique personality and dimension that is the Krug Style.The composition of the "cuvée" is a stunning mosaic of flavors where the three champagne grapes, 20-25 growths and 6-10 different years, combine to give Krug Grande Cuvée its complexity, elegance and consistency year after year, blend after blend. To maintain this consistency Krug reserves a large selection of unblended still wines from previous vintages, blending them with the youngest crop to create a fully balanced taste. These "reserve" wines may represent between a third and a half of the cuvée. There is no formula or recipe for Krug Grande Cuvée. Each year the Krug family meets to re-create "their" Krug Grande Cuvée. This is done with careful attention to the most minute detail so that after six years of aging, it will be in perfect continuity with previous Krugs. The bouquet is wonderfully creamy, leading to magical combination of weight and balance on the palate. The long, lingering finish is both nutty and toasty, ending with a final flourish of freshness, leaving one longing for more. Krug Grande Cuvée is available in bottles, magnums and even half-bottles, a choice which no other prestige cuvée offers. "A powerhouse. Big and brooding, showing toast, nut, coffee and oxidative aromas that pick up freshness on the palate, where citrus and dough flavours intervene. Really firm and focused, with complexity and character, this still needs time. Drink now through 2005." THE WINE SPECTATOR, 99/100.

Single Bottle: £115.00

In a case of 12: £109.25