Krug Series: Tasting Krug 2003 and Celebrating with Olivier Krug in Singapore

Amidst a very busy day at work, I saw an email popped up in my BlackBerry. The much-acclaimed Krug Dinner is here (or there in SG).

 

Esssentially, the invite is to celebrate the launch of Krug Vintage 2003 with Olivier Krug, a sixth generation of Krug family and head of Krug Tasting Committee.

 

Details: 13^th February, 2014 @ JAAN, Swissotel (7pm – 10pm).

 

It will be interesting to find out how a Krug Vintage 2003 is and have three hours of Krug alongside great food. Champagne tasting at its greatest form.

 

 

General: Review of Vintage 2003

 

Just some info on the 2003 Vintage, which is very limited in good quality grapes based on the not-too-fantastic vintage reviews:

 

2 out of 5 stars by Tom Stevenson

 

“The wines charecterise the year’s unusual circumstances. Frost destroyed most of the projected yield and it was followed by hail and an extremely hot summer. Atypically round and ripe wines that miss freshness and backbone. Only the best performers were able to avoid heaviness and overripe aromatics.”

 

Nonetheless, this is Krug, traditionally making 99 pointers out of normal vintages (this is GohBerry’s personal view and got nothing to do with Tom Stevenson).

 

 

THE STORY OF THE YEAR 2003 CAPTURED BY KRUG (Lifted from Krug’s Write-up)

 

KEYWORDS: Vivacious, Expressive, Luminous, Finesse, Story, Year

 

 

EACH KRUG VINTAGE HAS ITS OWN STORY TO TELL

 

Each Krug Vintage is crafted to be exceptional and different. Each vintage reveals the expression of a particular year with its distinct character; a special story to tell captured uniquely by Krug. Krug 2003 is an adventure of sun-drenched luminosity, unexpected freshness, delicious intensity and astonishing finesse, far from the preconceived ideas about an over-heated year. The House of Krug decided to create a vintage for this particular year and named it “Vivacité Solaire” (Vivacious Radiance) to express the unexpected story of a hot year that surprised Krug with fruit, freshness, balance, expressiveness, vivacity and finesse all at the same time. Krug 2003 will continue to gain with time.

 

 

KRUG VINTAGE IN THE WORLD OF KRUG:

 

At the House of Krug each Krug Vintage is crafted to be exceptional and different, created to reveal the expression of a year’s specific character, captured uniquely as only the House of Krug can. There are as many stories as there are Krug Vintages.

 

 

THE YEAR 2003:

 

- A year like none other, combining many circumstances: dry winter and spring, very premature blooming, two serious frosts ending with a summer of scorching heat.

- A very long harvest, the longest in living memory: it started in August - the earliest beginning since 1822 - and a second wave in October.

- Small yields, healthy grapes, extremely varied level of maturity, over and under-ripeness, the latter due to vines stopping their maturation as a form of self-protection from the heat. Respect for the individual expression of every plot gave Krug surprisingly fresh, aromatic and balanced wines with very vivacious fruit.

 

 

KRUG 2003 IS UNIQUE:

 

The expression of the year 2003 as revealed by Krug: a story of vivacious radiance.

- Krug 2003 is an adventure of sun-drenched luminosity, unexpected freshness, delicious intensity and astonishing finesse - far from the preconceived ideas about an over-heated year.

- Krug 2003 is only possible thanks to the unique, detailed approach of the House of Krug to creating Champagnes.

- Krug 2003 is a year without comparison, but it could be considered among other hot years beautifully expressed by Krug such as Krug 1959, 1962, 1976, 1979 and 1989.

- As with all Krug Champagnes, Krug 2003 will continue to gain with the passage of time.

 

 

KRUG 2003 IN ESSENCE :

 

- Krug decided to create a vintage for this particular year and named it “Vivacité Solaire” (Vivacious Radiance) to relate an unexpected story of a hot year that surprised Krug with fruit, freshness, balance, expressiveness, vivacity and finesse, all at the same time. Krug 2003 is a masterful blend of the wines of the year, from many different plots. It is a dialogue of:

- Chardonnays with plenty of aromatic richness discreetly blended with

- Significant presence of red grapes’ wines: fresh and balanced - structure and body - Pinot Noirs combined with vivacious Meuniers selected from a wide variety of villages

- The finesse and elegance of Krug 2003 is enhanced by close to ten years in the cellars.

 

 

TASTING NOTES:

 

- At first sight, a subtle yellow gold colour highlighting a reserved finesse.

- On the nose; there are notes of citrus, plum, liquid honey and brioche.

- On the palate; fresh summer fruits, surprising red grapefruit along with candied peel, roast chestnut and caramelized apple tart.

 

 

FOOD & WINE INSPIRATIONS:

 

Dishes involving quince and citrus fruit, such as veal, lamb and quince tagine, fine fish and/or shellfish with citrus-based sauces, oysters au gratin. Recipes with spices, cinnamon, curry are good options, and for dessert, a nicely prepared bread pudding with redcurrant coulis or citrus gratin.

 

 

FORMATS:

 

Bottle (75 cl)