Then the Krug, definitely. Drinking well right now, and will hold for years in proper storage conditions, as well as being a heck of a lot less made of it than the Margaux. Label is prettier, too.
Is it to cellar or to drink now? If its to drink now go with the Krug. If its to cellar (sure the Krug will cellar but..) go with the Margaux. Both are damn impressive wines so either way you'll enjoy them.
I'd take the Margaux. I consider Krug to be the most over-rated of all the Champagnes. These are heavy, clumsy Champagnes, virtually devoid of delicacy, elegance, and breeding.If you're looking for a white with this weight, try a Meursault. It's cheaper.
I havn't tried a Krug blanc de blanc yet, but here's the WS review: Score:99 A tightly wound thoroughbred, with complex nut and biscuit notes playing off a floral freshness. Driving it all is a racy acidity matched by a seamless *elegance* and innate power that lingers through the persistent ginger-tinged finish. Will age beautifully. Drink now through 2008. 1,200 cases made. (BS)
Am I drinking it tonight or cellaring it ? Do I have a lot of champagne in my cellar ? - Which I do I'd personally take the Margaux, for life ! Cheers, Mishy
I must disagree with Board-o on this. I feel Krug to be damn fine. Everytime I've drunk it, it has surprised me with it's elegance and complexity. I've never found it to be dull and I've had several vintages. The Clos du Mesnil is a more robust wine than the standard vintage and non vintage breeds and can cellar extremely well. But hey just my opinion.
David: Don't worry------just a matter of preference. I like champagne over cabs and blends, so I like the Krug. The Krug is a heavy-handed style, sure, and no doubt over-priced, but it is a great champagne for people who like the full-bodied style.
I'll pick a red over a white 95% of the time. Would you expect different from a Tannin Pig? BUT, I do love Champagne, and am nuts about the full-bodied, heavy style of Krug. The Clos du Mesnil is fabulous stuff, and much harder to find than Margaux. Comparing for pure hedonistic pleasure is tough: apples and oranges. But I'd probably go with the Krug simply for rarity. I like Champagne with a little age on it, and would estimate the '88 Clos du Mesnil at about 5 years from peak.
1988 Krug Clos du Mesnil has just been released. I didn't try it, but considering in addition the quite severe character of the vintage by itself, I really would not BEGIN considering to uncorck this bottle before 5 more years.
I'd also consider that if Krug decided to postpone the 1988 release to the 1989, this choice should represent a clear indication in this sense: this wine needs -asks, wants, cries- for long time cellaring.
Clos du Mesnil is an impressive and umparalleled bottling. I have the impression that if you opened now a bottle of 1988, you'd be invested by such crude smells of pure bread yeasts that you'd wonder how long can this go.
I'd personally go, today, for a 1982, or if I really hadn't any better mature bottle, a 1985, but with a quite stinging sense of frustration: still a bit too young.
Obviously, I'm a fan of well "grown up" wines, I uncorck only in the strict range around the top of the hill, do consider this in pondering my opinion.
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .