1985 Krug Collection Brut
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Tasted from magnum, the 1985 Krug Collection is a poignant reminder of just how well Champagne ages in the big bottle. Extraordinarily complex and yet so subtle, the 1985 is utterly captivating. A slight hint of Burgundian reduction adds aromatic nuance and intrigue as this stellar, silky Champagne shows off its pure pedigree. The 1985 is at a glorious peak of expression, but has more than enough freshness to drink well for another 10-15 years, perhaps more. What a wine.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 1985 Brut Collection takes some time in the glass to finally open up. I love the way the 1985 turns rich, burnished and vinous with air. Hazelnuts, ash, smoke and truffles are some of the nuances that flow from this rich, textured Collection. I have tasted the 1985 four times recently and this is one of the finer, fresher bottles I have sampled. Ideally the wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. This is Bottle N. 2052.
The 1985 Brut Collection takes some time in the glass to finally open up. I love the way the 1985 turns burnished and vinous with air. Hazelnuts, ash, smoke and truffles are some of the nuances that flow from this rich, textured Collection. I have tasted the 1985 four times recently and this is one of the finer, fresher bottles I have sampled. Ideally the wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. This is Bottle N. 2052. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015. My visit to Krug earlier this year was fascinating, as I had a chance to taste a number of 2009s and reserve wines. A tank sample of the 2009 Clos du Mesnil was one of the most exciting, viscerally thrilling wines of the trip, and remained etched on my mind for several weeks. I also had a chance to glance over newly found, hand-written original records that document the exact village breakdown of all the grapes Krug purchased in each vintage going back to 1928. This year I tasted a number of fabulous wines from bottle. Unfortunately I can’t include my impressions on Krug’s NV Champagnes because of the house’s insistence on not providing disgorgement dates for those wines. I was reminded of the importance of this information when I tasted a fabulous, utterly spellbinding bottle of the NV Rose. It was a truly beautiful Champagne, but owing to its recent disgorgement it needed at least a few years on the cork. Of course Krug gives a general indication of the disgorgement dates for their wines on the corks, but by that time, readers may have opened a bottle that needs more bottle age. Without this information it is impossible to give readers any reliable indication of when the house’s NV wines might start drinking well. With a retail price over $300 a bottle, opening a bottle of Krug’s Rose can be a very expensive learning experience. Krug fans will want to keep an eye out for my upcoming article on Clos du Mesnil, featuring complete notes back to the inaugural 1979. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200
The 1985 Brut Collection is rounder and softer than the 1982. The wine floats on the palate with a creamy, textured expression of fruit and an accessible, easy-going personality. Both bottles I have tasted recently faded quite a bit in the glass. My impression is that at this stage the wine offers no further upside potential, although it will likely hold for at least a few more years in a cold cellar. Still, I would choose to drink my bottles sooner rather than later.
About the producer
Krug is a remarkable Champagne House which only makes prestige cuvées. The wines – with their distinctive rich, complex, oxidative style – are some of the region’s best.