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Wine Description
The Story
This single vineyard Champagne comes from the plot of Les Coulmets in Le Mesnil sur Oger where the 45 year old vines produce fruit of the finest quality. Produced in only the finest vintages and solely from Chardonnay grapes, it is made only from the juice of the first pressing (the finest juice) and is vilified in stainless steel tanks only.
After remaining in the cellar to mature for three to four years it is given only a light dosage of 6 grams of sugar and the resulting vintage Champagne shows extreme finesse. Champagne lovers who are in search of perfection will truly appreciate this wine.
To be served around 10 - 12 ° C so as not to kill the exceptional fragrances and these remarkable flavors.
The fine stream of steady pearls offer up a complex bouquet where dried fruit (raisins and figs)mix with candied fruit (oranges, pineapple and angelica) with a hint of its mineral origins. The palate is fine, extremely elegant and mineral and spicy, blond tobacco. The finish is fresh, citrus and mineral with hints of grapefruit zestiness. Another wonderful aperitif from this house but also a great partner to Parma ham and hazelnuts or even for Foie Gras for those that still eat it. We tasted the 2010 vintage just after this one and it just served to remind us how much more complexity will be derived from a couple of years in a cellar.
Vintage 2012
The next most exceptional vintage since 2008. A truly difficult growing season saw severe frosts in the winter. March brought warmth but early budbreak made the vines vulnerable to spring frosts. Overall, the early growing season was wet, and mildew became a serious issue. However, conditions improved dramatically in the later summer months. An August heatwave resulted in a rapid accumulation of sugar, but fortunately the nights remained cool, which helped to preserve acidity. Although yields were low (averaging at 9,210 kg/ha) due to frost, hail and disease early in the season, the 2012 harvest was exemplary in its maturity, acidity and grape health. A rare high acid, high sugar September harvest with impeccable concentration of flavour and refreshing vibrancy. Pinot Noir is the superstar of the vintage, though Pinot Meunier excelled too. A vintage that promises great longevity for the finest cuvées, it was widely declared by producers. However, Krug decided to invest in its reserve wines on this great year, and no Vintage was produced. The quality of 2012 is universally high, with the greatest releases so far including Louis Roederer Cristal and Cristal Rosé, Bollinger La Grande Année and La Grande Année Rosé, as well as Perrier-Jouët Belle Epoque Rosé.
