1979 Krug, Vintage Brut 1x75cl

Vinous – 98

Nineteen seventy-nine is one of the all-time great vintages for Krug. Among other things, it marks the first release of Krug’s Clos du Mesnil. The 1979 Vintage, tasted from magnum, is utterly magnificent and nearly as thrilling as the Mesnil. Miraculously fresh for a wine of its age, the 1979 pulses with remarkable energy and tension, with the Chardonnay coming through nicely in the wine’s overall brightness. Lemon oil, white flowers, almonds, crushed rocks and dried herbs are some of the signatures. Krug’s 1979 is testament to the towering stature of this iconic Champagne vintage. To be sure, the magnum format helps, but I have had bottles of the 1979 that are every bit as moving. [Antonio Galloni, 11/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025