Krug Brut 2008 #419044 (750ML)

100 JS / 99 WS / 99 DE / 97+ JD / 97 VM / 97 WE / 97 WI / 18+ JR

#18 Jeb Dunnuck's Top 100 2023
#31 James Suckling's Top 100 Wines of 2021
#99 Wine Spectator Top 100 2021

This is very structured and framed with an almost red sensibility. Very phenolic. Full-bodied in a tightly wound ball with so much going on. Very pinot like. Mineral and stone. Shell and stone. Iodine. Vinous. The bubbles just fade into the finish of the wine, which goes on for minutes. Turns to toffee and salted caramel with time in the glass. One for the cellar. Great length. Blend of 53% pinot noir, 25% pinot meunier, 22% chardonnay. Disgorged in beginning of 2020. Drink or hold. - James Suckling

There’s a supernova of sensation with each sip of this powerful version, starting with the vivid streak of mouthwatering acidity that drives a rich panoply of ripe black currant, mandarin orange peel and grilled nut flavors, accented by hints of candied ginger, briny oyster shell, verbena and ground cardamom. This burns bright from start to finish, yet its fine integration and lovely, raw silk–like mousse pull it all together into a seamless, vibrant package. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged autumn 2019. Drink now through 2038. - Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator

The 2008 Vintage is a nervy, electrifying Champagne, the likes of which has not emerged from Krug's cellars since the magical 1996. Bright and sculpted, with tremendous precision, the 2008 dazzles from start to finish. Stylistically, the 2008 doesn't have the toastiness or explosive breadth often found in young Krug, but that in no way detracts from its magnificent beauty. Krug ID: 419044. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

Just at the beginning of its life, this powerful and structured wine is still a bit restrained, yet even at this stage there are exquisite aromas of ripe pear, marzipan and spice. Although the aromas are still not very expressive, the texture and feel on the palate give the impression of immense potential. There is plenty of extract and thrilling acidity, but always in perfect balance. As Cavil notes: 'This is a wine marked by verticality and intensity'. The wine was disgorged with an extra-brut dosage in the summer of 2020. This will live for 50 years at least. - Charles Curtis MW, Decanter

There’s a profound and coiled energy in the 2008 Champagne Millésime, which pours a youthful medium golden hue and opens in the glass to aromas of crushed oyster shell, golden white peach, preserved lemon, shortbread, and fresh ginger. Medium to full-bodied, it has electric and powerful concentration and is packed with preserved Meyer lemon citrus oils, electric tension, and a laser-like mineral texture. Its mousse adds a white pepper spice and a long finish, lasting for ages on the palate. With a strong identity, intense mouthwatering freshness, and outstanding length, it’s not for the faint of heart, but this is going to be a wine we’ll be talking about in 30 to 40 years’ time. - AF, JebDunnuck

A vintage Champagne from this producer is rare. But 2008 was a great year in Champagne and that shows in this intense, still amazingly young wine. Freshness works with the richness to give concentration, density and the sure-fire possibility of long-term aging. So drink now, but the Champagne will last for many years. - RV, Wine Enthusiast

From the classic Champagne vintage, the KRUG 2008 is a 53% Pinot Noir, 22% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier possessing enormous tension and freshness with aromas warm lemon curd, crème brulé, and toast. A beautiful golden color, the medium to full-bodied palate is intense with spiced apple, butter biscuit, and a touch lemon zest bitterness that folds seamlessly into a satiny acid vibrancy laced with chalk. It is at once powerful and delicate throughout and finishes very long. According to the Krug iD320023 the bottle tasted was disgorged in the third quarter of 2020. 97 12.5% Drink now - 2038 - Sarah Mayo, Wine Independent

ID 419044, which I was told on krug.com 'does not exist' - because the wine is not yet released. Lucky me.
Pale greenish coppery colour. Intense evolved nose. A certain nuttiness and lots of lime flavour. Masses of acidity still but real depth too. Light bitterness. Lack of flesh. Structure dominates the filling. Mineral, almost wet cement on nose! Very dry finish. This one should run and run. Extremely zesty. - Jancis Robinson