2006 Krug - Vintage brut in Geschenkverpackung

Decanter.com – 96 pts – CC: *Krug calls this wine 'Capricious Indulgence' because of the vagaries of the season, but the result is beguiling, with a hint of ripe red apple touched with currant, violet and a touch of brioche. The texture is structured but still silky and surprisingly approachable even now. The wine was produced with nearly two-thirds black grapes, notably Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Les Riceys. Following fermentation in barrel it aged 12 years on the lees before being disgorged in the autumn of 2018.* - 06/2022

Falstaff Magazin – 98 pts – PM: *Helles Goldgelb, Silberreflexe, feines, lebendiges Mousseux. Nuancen von frischen, hellen Kirschen, Ringlotten, weiße Blüten, feines Backwerk, ein Hauch von englischem Kuchen und Orangenmarmelade. Am Gaumen kraftvoll, feines Nougat, stoffig und rund, feines Säuregerüst, mineralisch, dezente Extraktsüße, ein Hauch von Räucherspeck, Mokka und Karamell im Nachhall, toller, komplexer Speisenbegleiter, bereits gut antrinkbar, salzig, stoffig, sehr lang und doch sehr leichtfüßig und animierend.* - 11/2020

JancisRobinson.com – 18/20pts – JR: *ID 118018. A vintage nicknamed 'capricious indulgence' by the Krug team. They explained that they selected wines that expressed the ample nature of the vintage rather than the best wines. The blend is of 250–270 different wines. More savoury than the Clos du Mesnil 2006 and with more obvious autolysis. The nose is decidedly steely and the palate somehow manages to be both firm and yet quite rich with a considerable undertow. This is a distinctly muscular champagne: big, bold and definitely approachable. I tried the open bottle again a couple of days later and the wine didn't seem to have changed much in bottle.* - 09/2020

Vinous.com – 97 pts – AG: *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.* - 09/2020

Vinous.com – 96 pts – NM: *The 2006 Krug had a tough job following the 1988 Collection, but it performed well. It has an airy nose at first, then reveals citrus peel, apple tart and a slight metallic note that fortunately dissipates with aeration, eventually becoming quite floral. The palate is very harmonious, sylph-like in texture, and quite penetrating, with a surprisingly honeyed, extremely persistent finish. This will mature into a fabulous Krug.* - 03/2022