Having rested for over twelve years in the House’s cellars, Krug presents its most recent vintage: Krug 2004. Krug vintages express the unique character of a specific year. Underpinned by harmonious tension tinged with lively elegance, Krug 2004 is the fruit of a fresh, invigorating year, so much so that the House has nicknamed it “Luminous Freshness”. This remarkably well-balanced Champagne combines delicacy and varied citrus notes with a radiant structure.
In line with Joseph Krug’s philosophy and the continuity of six generations of the Krug family, Krug 2004 will be presented with a limited number of bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée 160ème Édition, the most generous expression of Champagne, composed around the 2004 harvest. These bottles have been deliberately kept in the Krug cellars, waiting for this moment. Krug 2004 and Krug Grande Cuvée 160ème Édition will be available in a limited edition box, “Les Créations de 2004”.
CIRCUMSTANCES IN 2004
2004 was a year of patience: a cold winter and a bracing spring meant that the low temperatures in Champagne were prolonged. With the month of May, they finally gave way to gentle warmth, and by the end of the summer, the grapes were able to ripen in ideal conditions under radiant sunshine. Thanks to the fine weather that accompanied the harvest from mid-September to early October, 2004 was a generous year. Nature, in her joy, offered us a wide range of choices, and grapes that were riper and more pronounced in character than in any other year.
“The year’s wines are at once expressive, luminous and undeniably elegant,” explains Éric Lebel, Chef de Caves at Krug. “The liveliness, nervousness and citrus notes of the Meuniers and the brilliance of the Chardonnays combine with the solid structure of the Pinots Noirs to form a very balanced palette.”
KRUG 2004: LUMINOUS FRESHNESS
Careful attention to the personality of the vineyard and respect for the individuality of each plot and each wine have enabled Eric Lebel to identify the music of the year. He has brought it to life by creating a composition marked by elegance and a beautiful citrus palette, in which a very balanced dialogue is established between lively Chardonnays (39%) and solid Pinots Noirs (37%), combined with the vivacity, tension and citrus notes of Meuniers (24%).
“A blend of delicacy, balance and a myriad of citrus notes, Krug 2004 evokes the impression of early summer mornings in Champagne. Its radiant generosity and great precision have earned it the nickname Fraîcheur lumineuse.” Eric Lebel, Cellar Master, Maison Krug
After aromas of ginger, candied citrus and quince, the bouquet of Krug 2004 reveals richer notes, evoking lemon meringue pie, plums and mirabelle plums. On the palate, light notes of brioche and honey soon give way to a range of fresh citrus fruits – oranges, lemons and mandarins in particular – sublimated by a very elegant finish.
“With its freshness, brilliance and citrus notes, Krug 2004 is a perfect match for sea urchins, salmon tartar or caviar,” explains Eric Lebel. “It would also go very well with cod in olive oil and lemon sauce, sole meunière, or Thai dishes with ginger and lemongrass. It’s the kind of subtle pairing that pays tribute to the liveliness of Champagne. Fresh goat’s cheese and candied citrus fruits underline the great freshness of this Champagne, whose lemon meringue pie is the ideal dessert companion.
Today, Krug 2004 is the final opus in the House’s second trilogy (Krug 2002, Krug 2003 and Krug 2004), following on from Krug 1988, Krug 1989 and Krug 1990. “The tasting always dictates our decision whether or not to present a Krug Champagne,” says Eric Lebel. Krug is almost one of the last Champagne Houses to offer its 2004 vintage.
The journey to maturity that Krug 2004 began in the House’s cellars almost 13 years ago has endowed it with remarkable balance, expression and finesse. Like all Krug Champagnes, Krug 2004 will continue to improve with age.
A LIMITED EDITION TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH KRUG’S DREAM
The House invites Krug connoisseurs to discover the principles of Champagne creation established by the House’s founder, through Krug 2004, the story of the year, and Krug Grande Cuvée 160ème Édition, composed around the 2004 harvest. These exceptional bottles will be available in a limited-edition wooden box. An opportunity to compare two very different expressions of nature, and to discover 2004 as the House of Krug experienced it.
On sale at the recommended retail price of €220 for a bottle of Krug 2004 and €1,300 for a limited-edition box set (3 bottles of Krug 2004 and 3 bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée 160th edition).
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