Krug Brut Champagne 2004

98 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(39% CH, 37% PN, 24% PM; aged more than 11 years on lees). The astonishing freshness, staggering purity, pitch-perfect precision and sheer vitality of the energetic and enduring 2004 season find a new lease on life at 15 years of age in Krug’s capable hands, making for a Krug Vintage of thrilling flair, charged with enormous potential. With a bright, full straw hue, the ‘luminous freshness’ description of the house is apt. The sustaining presence of malic acidity is all the more prominent in the modern Krug style, and here lays out a tense backbone of exacting structure. The result is slow-motion evolution, upholding a core of fresh-picked lemon tang, crunchy apple, quince and white pepper that sits upon an expansive stage of majestic Krug complexity, in rumbling depth of molten wax, wild honey, truffles and incense. The 2004 season captures Champagne’s stark, white, salt minerality in profound detail, frothing and churning with mouth-embracing presence of heightened proportions. In extraordinary persistence, profound line and sheer, enduring longevity, this is a Krug that hovers, unchanging, for minutes, confidently set for a lifetime spanning many decades. At 15 years of age, it screams out for at least as many years again before it attains its full potential. That is when the true magic will begin. (2020-2021)"

97+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Krug's 2004 Vintage is absolutely mesmerizing. Layers of bright, chiseled fruit open up effortlessly as the wine fleshes out with time in the glass. Persistent and beautifully focused, with a translucent sense of energy, the 2004 captures all the best qualities of the year. Moreover, the 2004 is clearly superior to the consistently underwhelming 2002 and the best Krug Vintage since 1996. Readers who can find it should not hesitate, as it is a magical bottle. Drink: 2017-2044. (Dec 2017)"

97 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "Combining subtleness with complexity, the coolish Krug 2004 Brut opens with a highly elegant, fascinatingly clear, bright and refreshing bouquet of ripe (apple) fruits. Dense and round, with a delicate mineral soul, the pure but perfectly balanced 2004 reveals great finesse and weightless elegance with a long and round finish. This is a gorgeous Krug vintage that is 14 years old but still on the rise. Tasted from ID 316034 in New York in November 2018. Drink: 2018-2050. (Nov 2018)"

97 points James Suckling: "ID: 214041 This is an extremely fresh edition and remains in a restrained mode with an intense serve of chardonnay's lemon citrus dominating the nose alongside lime zest, bright florals, grassy elements, fresh dough, white stones and very subtle background spice. The palate has a svelte and elegant shape. Smoother than the 2002, it shares the same quality of precision but not the raging power of that vintage. The poise is unquestionable, the wine very reserved, with plenty of lemon-infused citrus flavors, hints of fresh cashew and a lot of potential. Acidity holds superbly, the dosage is exactly where it should be. This is a classic release... (1/7/18)"

96 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2004 Krug Brut Millésime is a superb example of the vintage. The cépages this year is 39% chardonnay, 37% pinot noir and 24% pinot meunier. It was aged twelve years sur latte prior to disgorgement and preparation for market... really starting to blossom nicely, offering up a deep and complex bouquet of apple, pear, sourdough bread, a superb foundation of minerality, caraway seed and a smoky topnote... bright, full-bodied and impeccably balanced, with a superb core of fruit, fine mineral drive and grip, elegant mousse and a long, vibrant and complex finish... 2020-2085. (Nov/Dec 2020)"