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In Reply to: Received gift of Krug NV Grand Cuvee -- anyone tried it? posted by jackrandom on December 7, 2005 at 07:17:56:
Amazingly, this is my first ever visit to this board and what is the first thing that smacks me in the face but a question about one of the two or three best champagnes in bottle. Drink it dry, save the bottle, piss in the bottle after you've finished it, cram the cork back in and chill it again, open the bottle up the next day and dive in and what you'll have the second time around will still be better than DP.A little background. I am by no means a wine connoiseur--I am a champagne lover and devotee and have been for 35 years. Un abashedly, I will admit to consuming at least 20 cases a year singlehandedly during this time and have had wines from at least 100 different houses and have sampled most of them at all of the various increments of price/quality available. Currently I order most of my stash from D&M Liquor in Frisco because they import so many champagnes from houses that are otherwise unobtainable in this country [at least, beknown to me] because I am on a quest to try as much as is possible with the resources and the liver available.
As regards audio, I have constructed my own set of corner bass traps exclusively with crawfish sacks filled with champagne corks [sounds pretty hokey, I know, but I live just north of New Orleans] and am presently working on a second set. Damn things do their job fairly well, I must say!
Back to the Krug. This is not a bubbly for the faint of heart. It's a real mouthful, one of the chewiest out there. Very full flavored with lots of toast and depth and a gorgeous, langorous finish devoid of bitterness or sours. Absolutely do not overchill or you will severely cramp its style and taste. When I pour it, the bottle never goes back in the fridge/bucket--I just leave it out and we nail it. I recommend about 60 degrees and tulip shaped flute as opposed to the more fashionable V-shaped type to maximize the bouquet and the intensity. At the moment, I have a Magnum of the Grande Cuvee and another of Krug "89 vintage waiting in the wings for the holidays and, I tell you, it's rough having to walk by them every time I pass through the kitchen. If it turns out that the GC floats your flute, spring for some Salon for an equally invigorating alternative.
A sante!
Follow Ups:
I guess after filling two 40 pound crawfish sacks with Champagne corks you ought to know a little something about Champagne!! I still can't get over those damn things. I know my contribution to them doesn't add up to much, but I still like to know I put a couple in there :)I only tasted Krug once - at your place years ago. Haven't been able to bring myself to splurge on a bottle, though I did buy a bottle of Cattier Femme for New Years. I did just recently try the poor man's Salon - the 97' (or was it 99') Delamotte and thought it just ok. I'd rather the Pipier myself, but not for the $43 that Hugh's is raping folks for it :|
I'll tell you what, it's the Calvados that's kicking my ass, or my wallet's ass anyway!! Since Katrina, I'm almost done with my third bottle!! I might have to switch to Draon if this keeps up. Ok, I won't go that low.... Robert Groult is my current bottle. I really wish I could get more the the Berneroy 25 yr old myself as I think it is (or was) a great value for me. Later gator.
marc g. - audiophile by day, music lover by night
Thanks for the info. I've had a few nice bottles in the past, specifically Bollinger Grand Annee 1985, Bollinger 1992, Charles Ellner (can't remember the year).Have you tried Domaine Chandon's La Reve, and is it good value at $55+?
I had it at the winery during a tasting. I enjoyed it at the time but I don't remember being knockout by it.I have to agree with "acres verde", for the price France is still the way to go.
It's me again. Have not tried the Le Reve, mainly because at it's price point, there are so many viable choices from France. My general assessment of domestics is that a) they've come a long way as a group and b) they're generally a lttle thin and lacking in complexity [though not necessarially finesse] when taken as a group. Having said that, I have no problem with a bottle of Tait's Domaine Carneros every now and then and would recommend it.I have had both the Bollie and the Ellner you refer to and feel certain that if the Bollie does it for you, the Krug will prove sublime. Again these are bubblies with some balls and not of the "...light and airy favorites..." variety all too commonly found out there nowadays. The grandest Bollie of all is an exceedingly rare offering called Vielles Vignes Francaise. It is 100% pinot and only about 200 cases are offered worldwide annually. In all my years I have only had two bottles, but that's just as well 'cause it will set you back more than Cris. But let me tell you, so terroir driven and flinty is it that its like swishing a mouthful of dirt around in your mouth [and this is the highest compliment I can bestow upon a champagne]. This is what sets France apart from the domestics--- its soils and the chalky/flintiness of them come through to add a depth and complexity or completeness to the flavor experience that I have not been able to corner in anything from the states.
Incidentally, don't be pushed to popping the cork on this Krug prematurely just because of all my carryings on. It, like all Krugs and Salons, will definitely improve and develop with age over, at least, the next decade or longer. However, at my house the flutes start levitating out of the cupboard almost as soon as the car door closes and the wine has entered the rack so any pretense of patience is demonstrably not one of my virtues.
Enjoy!
Thanks for the info -- you're a great wealth of knowledge on champagnes (and sparklings it sounds like) and clearly know your stuff.I lurk on this board regularly, so hopefully you will too and keep posting your impressions on interesting champagnes.
In the $25-$50 range. Recently I've been partial to Mumm's Cordon Rouge.Have you had any sparkling from elsewhere worth the money? Or are you a strictly champagne person?
For starters, the following are in current rotation. All, if purchased from D&M or locally [here] would be within your specified range and most would be at the lower end of it.Charles Heidsieck Mis en Cave '92 '92 '95 '96 [hard to find now]
Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere Cuvee
Beaumont de Crayeres Cuvee de Prestige Brut
Henri Billiot Brut Reserve [I love this stuff]
Cattier Brut Blanc de Blanc 1er Cru
E. Barnaut Blanc de Noirs Grand Cru a Bouzy Champagne
Charles Ellner Cuvee de Reserve Brut
Pierre Gimmonet Cuis 1er Cru Blanc de Blac Brut [steely& unique]
Jean Pernet Brut Les Mesnil sur Oger Brut
Jacques Selosse [can't remember the exact bottle name right now]So there's ten for starters. Hope you had your pencil and paper ready. They're all winners [in my book] and all have personality. No shrinking violets in this lot.
A Sante!
Don't see any of them at my local retailer.If you get a chance go to "specsonline.com" and let me know if you see anything there that you could recommend for New Years.
Salut.
I vote that we make you the official "King of the Bubbles" for this forum.Keep up the good work!
It's a dirty job but someone has to do it.
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