all photos by courtesy of “远峰一青”

Krug Grande Cuvee brut multi-vintage champagne

Bottled in 2000, thus the base wines(around 55-60%) came from 1999 harvest, combined with

reserve wines(around 40-45%) from previous 5 to 9 vintages.

Disgorged in 2006.

Tasted on April 16, 2009 @ Japanese restaurant 朝一庵

With these old label Grande Cuvee (old red label as opposed to the new gold label), normally we consumers can't decode the bottling / disgorgement date, since the back label only has a bar code...But for this bottle imported to China, MHD was requested by Chinese regulation to stick a Chinese back label stating bottling in 2000, hence I got the clue on the age of base wines. I guess this is the last version of old red label!

Totally different from our expectation of a full-bodied, rich and complex 'old-fashioned' Grande Cuvee, this bottle is very restrained and discreet...Now 3 years after disgorgement, this beauty must have fallen asleep...

Albeit discreet and subtle, the aromas and flavors of toast, honey and nut are still detectable. The wine is so restrained that it feels ethereal on the palate! I have to use such atypical descriptors like 'subtlety', 'elegance' and 'finesse' which are so un-Grande Cuvee. But this tasting experience is nevertheless interesting and even precious learning in that at this sleeping stage, the power of the reserve wines is hidden, thus this 99-based Grande Cuvee multi-vintage is almost singing a solo of soft, silky and creamy 99 harvest -- in other words, we are experiencing the undeclared Krug 99!

Of course, there is no denying of extracts underneath. So with proper ageing, this 99-based Grande Cuvee is set to unfold all its glorious richness and complexity!