As I reported when it was released, Krug's 2006 Brut is clearly one of the vintage's highlights. Offering up aromas of dried fruits, pear, freshly baked bread, caramelized apples, honeycomb and toasted sourdough, it's full-bodied, deep and layered, with superb concentration, racy acids and an impressively tightly wound profile for this demonstrative vintage. I observed last year that this is surprisingly reserved for the vintage, and if anything, that quality is even more in evidence today. While many 2006 Champagnes are likely to be at their best in their demonstrative youth, this is one wine unquestionably built for the long haul. September 2020.

The 2006 Krug Vintage is fabulous. Here the richness, breadth and texture of Pinot come through loud and clear in a Champagne that is classic Krug. Red plum, coffee, spice, baked apple tart and lemon confit all flesh out effortlessly in the glass. The ripeness of the year is evident, and yet the vibrancy of the Chardonnay lends so much energy. The 2006 can be enjoyed today, but also has the balance and stuffing to develop well for many years to come. This is a superb showing from the 2006. This is Krug ID: 118014. September 2020

The vintage 2006 is a particularly memorable one at Krug not only due to the contrasting weather patterns leading to the harvest but due to the exceptional team effort it required. Olivier Krug had just taken over the role as director of the house in January 2006, when cellar master Eric Lebel suddenly fell seriously ill in June, just before the crucial harvest period. Amongst many other novel duties to Olivier, he took over the demanding job of grower relations, and 2006 was by no means the easiest year to do that. The deep golden coloured hue speaks of a warm vintage’s wine. Already the nose reveals a big character with great presence. The toast and dried fruit lead nose comes with no shyness but bold yet finely integrated oaky touches and spicy complexity. On the palate the sweet vanilla tones turn towards honey with nutty notes persisting on the long, intense after taste. The Pinot Noir prominent palate is generous and supple but stylishly refreshed by a fine, brisk acidic backbone. Beautifully textured and seductive and finishing with a nice bite of crispness and minerality. It has come around early but there is structure and intensity to support great ageing. Krug ID 118014. The same Winter 2018 disgorgement was tasted 6 months later in December 2019: Not much evolution yet. The freshness is exemplary.

Racy nose, filigree textured with a fabulous undertow of complexity. Positively throbs with interest and demands attention. A great drink already. JR Sept 2023