Krug will not release 2012 vintage

Champagne Krug will not release a 2012 wine despite the 'exceptional potential' of the vintage, its chef de cave has said.

Eric Lebel told Decanter.com the 2012 vintage would be used as a reserve wine for Krug Grande Cuvée.

‘2012 was characterised as a low yield harvest which subsequently, of course, led to reduced volumes. Therefore, our choice has been to privilege the 2012 wines for future recreation of Krug Grande Cuvée that will stay at the disposal of the oenology team over the next 15 years.’

He added, ‘The priority for the House of Krug has always been the annual recreation of the Grande Cuvée. This year’s blending will use more than half the total volume of wines from 2012.’

Although the 2012 growing season was reported to have been one of the most difficult in the history of Champagne, major producers, including Dom Perignon and Philipponnat, have announced their intention to declare a 2012 vintage.

‘The potential is there for the 2012 to be an excellent Dom Perignon,’ the house’s chef de cave Richard Geoffroy told Decanter.com at an event to mark the release of the 2004 prestige cuvée.

Written by James Lawrence