This harmonious Champagne offers luxurious texture and powerful, focused acidity, showing aromatic accents of spring blossom, crushed thyme and chai, with rich notes of lemon meringue, hazelnut, black currant and fresh porcini mushroom. The full package. Impressive. Drink now through 2028.

Quality 984 | Brand 993 | Economics 935 |

buzz brand
Quality: Predicted life of 17 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group for the 1998 vintage, which averages 7 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 47 of the world's top wine lists, including Le Calandre Economics: Below its peer group average price of £181 for the 1998 vintage Production:

- www.wine-lister.com June 2017

Incredibly fascinating to see how Krug despite their plentiful use of grapes from different sources manage to avoid a single oxidized grape this hazardous year. The wine is fantastically focused and has the unmistakable Krug stamp. Seductive softness right through the elegant and classic taste that sticks together like a well oiled Russian hockey team machine from the 70s. Somewhere between the 85, 95 and 96 in character.

Krug's 1998 Brut Vintage is an excellent choice for drinking today, as the classic Krug style is rich, alive and totally vivid. Honey, almonds, smoke, graphite and dried apricots are some of the many aromas and flavors found in this rich, enveloping Champagne. A wine of texture and depth, the 1998 impresses for its vinous personality and terrific balance. Lively veins of underlying acidity suggest the 1998 will drink well for many years to follow. This is one of the best bottles of the 1998 I have ever tasted. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2038. There are no new vintage wines from Krug, but is always interesting to revisit these wines as they develop so much over time. The biggest news at Krug is the addition of ID Codes to the NV wines, which gives readers the opportunity to get more information on the wines (including disgorgement dates) through Krug's website. It would be great to see more of the larger houses follow suit. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200

Bright true gold with a brisk bead. Deeply concentrated honey, pear skin, orange peel, peach pit, botanical herb and floral aromas are brightened by smoky minerals. Chewy citrus and pit fruit flavors stain the palate and are given a youthfully tangy edge by nervy acidity, gaining strength with air. Finishes with powerful grip and resounding echoes of honey and citrus pith. A serious, painfully young wine that needs patience; I wouldn't go near it for at least another six or seven years.