The Auswine Forum

Mike Hawkins wrote:Craig,

I had another bottle of 2002 Dom P last night and it was absolutely superb - the best one yet. Its a much better wine than 98 Krug IMO, and it costs much less !

Mike

1996 Krug

A deeper gold than I anticipated, though this may be due to the mood lighting that basked the bar. What was evident though, was that the effervescent bubbles were the size of a pin head, and danced gracefully to the surface. Clearly quite a reductive style of champagne, each delicate bubble brought up to the surface essences of granny smith apples, ruby grapefruit, cinnamon, and brandy sauce. Each taste unfolded layers of added complexity..... succulently bitter lemon rind..... grilled, caramelised pineapples..... nutty manuka honey..... round, buttery bread and butter pudding.... All this with spine-tingling linear acidity, and a depth of flavour that fills every crevice of your palate, and lingers for minutes later. Amazingly, the wine improved right to the very last drop some 5 hours later. Now, over the years I have come to realize I enjoy the more feminine, less reductive styles of champagne, which carresses and pampers you. This champagne however, kept grabbing me and demanded my attention, relentless in it's task to impress. In the end, I conceed that it is a great wine, with remarkable attributes, but in my heart of hearts, perhaps not for me, at this stage of my life..... Perhaps I need to mature, my palate evolve, and this great champagne settle down a little from it's infantile exuberance.

Regardless, it is at least 'Extremely Good'

Craig(NZ) wrote:Very faintly toying with perhaps considering to consider purchasing 1998 Krug, but 2002 Dom Perignon is nearly half the price so I am thinking that is the better option?? However I do love Krug as a champagne house and it is always best if you are buying vintage to jump on it when first released.

Quick search around for notes suggests perhaps it isn't as good as the 1996 version?? which i missed out on thanks to a wine shop that said they would put one aside for me and never did (i'm obviously not important or rich enough). I saw it once in retail well after release in another shop for $600+ and passed it by. Apart from that one occassion never saw it in NZ.

Any opinions from devoted champagne drinkers welcome

Bick wrote:

Craig(NZ) wrote:Very faintly toying with perhaps considering to consider purchasing 1998 Krug, but 2002 Dom Perignon is nearly half the price so I am thinking that is the better option?? However I do love Krug as a champagne house and it is always best if you are buying vintage to jump on it when first released.

Quick search around for notes suggests perhaps it isn't as good as the 1996 version?? which i missed out on thanks to a wine shop that said they would put one aside for me and never did (i'm obviously not important or rich enough). I saw it once in retail well after release in another shop for $600+ and passed it by. Apart from that one occassion never saw it in NZ.

Any opinions from devoted champagne drinkers welcome

I thought your cellar was too top heavy Craig I can't see this purchase helping any!