Krug Collection 1996 is the late-release edition of Krug Vintage 1996, bottles kept back in the Reims cellars long after the original release. The year combined high ripeness with sharp acidity, and time has turned that into a rich but still vibrant Champagne. It comes in a Krug gift box.
About This Champagne
1996 brought wide temperature swings and strong contrast through the season, which gave wines of unusual ripeness and acidity together. The Vintage blend is 48% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay and 21% Meunier. For Collection, a small number of those bottles were set aside and tasted over the years until the house judged the wine had reached a second stage, richer and more intense, yet still fresh.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Dried apricot, toasted hazelnut, honey and candied peel, turning smoky and savoury with air.
- Palate: Deep and concentrated, acidity still running through the middle, brioche and dried fruit on a creamy texture.
- Finish: Very long, dry and mineral, with the tension of the year still clear.
Serving & Food
Best at 10 to 12°C in the Joseph glass Krug designed with Riedel, or any large white-wine glass. Let it breathe after opening. Roast chicken with morels is a classic match, and Peking duck works too.
How to Enjoy
Serious Champagne drinkers, or a comparison with a younger Krug Vintage to see what extra decades in the cellar bring.
Product Details
Producer: Krug
Cuvée: Krug Collection
Vintage: 1996
Blend: 48% Pinot Noir, 31% Chardonnay, 21% Meunier
Origin: Champagne, France
Volume: 750mL
Presentation: Krug gift box
About the Maison
Krug is still closely tied to the family that founded it. Joseph Krug started the house in Reims in 1843, and since 1868 the Krug family house has stood at 5 rue Coquebert, above the historic cellars and the library of reserve wines. Completely renovated in 2017, it is where the house welcomes guests and where its kitchen, under chef Arnaud Lallement, works on food pairings.
The 1996 has a particular place in that story. It was the last Krug Vintage crafted by three generations of the family working side by side. Paul Krug II, known for plain judgements, tasted it and said it could be the next 1928.
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