A rich nose with deep, ripe chardonnay and pinot noir, red fruits, some dark mushrooms and plenty of grilled nuts, plus caramel, some deep spices, dried citrus, lemon peel and bready aromas. The trademark complexity is here and it freshens with air. The palate is intricately detailed and stitched together like needlework; very precise, very even. The acidity is articulated with some finesse and yet it has much more in terms of phenolics as the leading structural component. The phenolics are rich and ripe, sitting polished and even around immensely concentrated fruit with flavors of peach, nectarine and white cherry. The finish is deep, even and resonant. Drink now but rest assured it will hold for a very long time, just like Krug has proven in other warm years like '76.

Light yellow. Powerful, complex bouquet evokes fresh peach, pear, floral honey, green almond and smoky minerals. Deep, palate-staining citrus and orchard fruit flavors show outstanding vivacity for a hot vintage, picking up ginger and talc notes with air. The strikingly long, sappy finish features zesty orange pith, smoky minerals and an echo of honeysuckle. I'd be in no rush to drink this one. Speaking of waiting, I had the chance to revisit the 2000 Vintage Krug and it has begun to pick up the smoky, weighty and nutty character that long-time fans of this producer crave. It's still plenty young but already unmistakably Krug, with a chewy texture and a sexy floral nuance dominating right now. -- Josh Raynolds

Like taffeta in texture, this harmonious Champagne is finely honed and fresh. A wonderfully expressive version, with ample spice and graphite accents to the blackberry pâte de fruit, coffee liqueur, dried apricot, singed orange peel and crystallized honey notes. Hard to stop sipping. Disgorged spring 2014. Drink now through 2028. — AN

When Krug announced they were producing a 2003 vintage there was universal surprise, given what a hot year it was in France. Yet the end result is very pleasant and impressive surprise. Indeed, having tasted this on two or three previous occasions, I noted an astonishing freshness and vivacity which was not remotely anticipated. However, this particular bottle was not as zingy as the ones I had previously encountered - instead, it was somewhat softer, fatter, rounder and more savoury in style. If the acidity was less prominent, it certainly wasn’t lacking in flavour, presence or expression with its fresh cut hay and biscuit nose. The rich palate comprises cream, cashew nut, spice and brioche with sweet pear, quince and dried fruit. Deliciously long, gourmandise cappuccino finish. (Drink between 2017-2025)

The 2003 vintage of Krug is truly an exceptional wine that beautifully synthesizes the exuberance of this very hot summer with the characteristic refinement and structural integrity that are the hallmarks of vintage Krug bottlings. 2003 was the first vintage to start picking in August in Champagne since 1822, so this is clearly a very unique year in the region. The chardonnay grape suffered the most in this torrid summer, and it only represents twenty-nine percent of the cépages, with twenty-five percent pinot meunier and forty-six percent pinot noir. The wine has turned out beautifully, with the heat of the summer translating into a very spicy and exotically aromatic vintage Krug, as it wafts from the glass in a complex constellation of cardamom, turmeric, apple, tangerine, white peach, gentle notes rye bread, a very complex base of minerality, hints of the crème patissière to come and a topnote of lemon blossoms. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, very complex and refined, with lovely mineral drive, crisp acids, elegant mousse and excellent length and grip on the perfectly poised and light on its feet finish. I never anticipated that the 2003 vintage would turn out such and elegant, vibrant and exotic rendition of Krug Vintage, but this wine has turned out beautifully. It is drinking with great charm right out of the blocks, but will have no difficulties aging gracefully at least for a couple of decades. 2014-2035+. 94+

Moderate golden color. A ripe, complex and mildly exotic nose combines notes of apricot and peach with plenty of yeast and baked bread nuances. There is real volume and concentration to the exceptionally rich, even heady flavors that possess outstanding depth on the palate coating finish that is supported by just enough effervescence to keep the balance. This is one of those distinctly particular wines that one either admires for being exceptional in every sense or that one finds "just too much". While it is not what I usually search for in fine Champagne it is unquestionably well made and despite very definitely being a creature of its vintage, it retains its "Krugness". For my taste it is ready as I would rather drink it now while it is still fresh, but the underlying material is indisputably present to allow for much depth to develop with time.