The potential for a Krug vintage champagne is identified during the blending of Krug Grande Cuvée. Once the non-vintage blend has been secured and all of the reserves earmarked, the wines displaying the most pronounced character of the vintage are blended to create the vintage champagne. This Krug 1988 is a late disgorged in 2016 and just 200 bottles were kept by the House on their lees for this late release of this vintage.

Weather: 1988 weather conditions in Champagne have always been compared to the more favourable 1989, nonetheless, given now it has had added ageing this vintage is coming into its own. The spring was mild with little rain and frost; therefore bud burst was good. The early summer months were slightly dull, however August saw lots of sun. September is always the saviour for most Champagne harvests, but in 1988 there was plenty of rain. The grapes however fared well and this patience is now being rewarded. Harvest took place between September 26th and October 6th.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: Predominately Premier & Grand Cru
Grape Varieties: 50% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnnay, 18% Meunier
Ageing: 25 years on the lees
Disgorged: Spring 2015
Drink: Now to 2030+

Krug ID: 215027

Tasting Note: Great structure thoughtout with inital aromas of orange and spices. The honeyed character on the palate is stunning with cinammon and ginger, a truly vulmptous champagne with bundles of flavour and character. Even after 25 years resting on the lees, this has so much life.

Just five years after Joseph Krug founded his eponymous Champagne House in 1843, he documented his great vision for Krug in a cherry-red leather notebook. In it, he revealed the principles of creating a champagne of incredible richness yet great elegance, of selecting only the finest elements from the greatest terroirs, rejecting mediocre fruit and making both a non-vintage and a vintage cuvée - revolutionary at the time. Discovered in 2010 by current House Director and sixth generation of the founding family Olivier Krug, the ideals in this notebook and Krug's resolute commitment to them have secured their position as the most luxurious and exclusive of all Champagne producers.

Unlike other Champagne Houses, Krug's range consists of prestige cuvées only. Their iconic non-vintage Grande Cuvée is a masterful blend of some 120 wines, vintage Krugs are renowned as true classics, majestically displaying the characteristics of each harvest and their unique and exclusive single-vineyard champagnes, Clos du Mesnil and Clos d'Ambonnay are the ultimate rarities. The recent introduction of ID codes displayed on the back of every bottle - revealing base year, disgorgement periods and product information - has helped revise the vision of Krug in line with the great founder's philosophy.

Cellar Master: Julie Cavil
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 760,000