Krug Brut Vintage 1998

Krug Brut Vintage 1998 is a prestige Champagne from the House of Krug, bottled at 12% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Dubbed "Hommage au Chardonnay" by the house, the 1998 is only the second Krug vintage after 1981 in which Chardonnay takes the lead role in the blend, giving this release a distinctive minerality and luminous texture rarely seen in the Krug portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Champagne, France  |  Vintage: 1998  |  Producer: House of Krug

Production & Heritage

Founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, the House of Krug operates from Reims and is now part of the LVMH group. All Krug cuvées are vinified in small lots, with first fermentation conducted partially in 205-litre oak casks — a defining practice the house has maintained since its founding. The 1998 Vintage blend comprises approximately 45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 20% Meunier, and spent a remarkable 13 years aging on its lees in Krug's cellars before disgorgement, with a dosage of 6 g/l. Krug Vintage bottlings are only declared in years the cellar master deems exceptional enough to express a single harvest's character, making each release inherently limited.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with ripe yellow fruit, dried apricot, and honey before shifting into deeper registers of toasted hazelnut, roasted walnut, and a subtle layer of smoke. Underneath, delicate floral notes of chamomile and spring blossom mingle with hints of chai spice and crushed thyme.

Taste: The palate entry is broad and enveloping, immediately revealing lemon meringue richness alongside baked apple and dried fruit. At mid-palate, focused acidity cuts through the density, carrying flavors of citrus zest, gingerbread, and graphite. The Chardonnay backbone becomes fully apparent here, lending a fine-grained minerality and an almost saline precision.

Finish: Long and deeply layered, the finish lingers with hazelnut, fresh porcini mushroom, and orange peel. A gentle yeasty quality and persistent mousse sustain the wine's presence well after each sip.

How to Drink Krug 1998

A vintage of this complexity and age deserves to be served slightly warmer than typical non-vintage Champagne — around 10–12°C — in a wide-bowled white wine glass that allows its aromatics full expression. Sipping neat is the primary recommendation. For those inclined toward mixing, the 1998's richness works in a Champagne Cocktail, where a sugar cube and Angostura bitters complement its honeyed depth; a French 75, where its citrus-mineral spine provides structure against gin and lemon; or a Serendipity (Champagne with calvados and fresh apple juice), which echoes the wine's baked apple and dried fruit character.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or significant life event
• Gifting a serious Champagne collector who values library-aged vintages
• Pairing with a multi-course tasting menu at a special dinner
• Adding a benchmark prestige vintage to a curated wine cellar

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Krug 1998 taste like? Krug 1998 is a rich, Chardonnay-driven Champagne with dominant flavors of honey, toasted hazelnut, lemon meringue, and dried apricot, supported by focused acidity and a fine, persistent mousse.

How does Krug 1998 compare to Dom Pérignon 1998? Both are prestige-tier 1998 vintage Champagnes, but Krug 1998 is Chardonnay-dominant and aged significantly longer on its lees (13 years), giving it a more oxidative, richly textured profile compared to Dom Pérignon's typically sleeker, Pinot Noir-inflected style.

Is Krug 1998 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — this is a vintage Champagne expressly designed for contemplative drinking, with 13 years of lees aging producing the kind of aromatic complexity and layered texture best appreciated on its own or alongside food.

Where is Krug 1998 made? Krug 1998 is produced by the House of Krug in Reims, in the Champagne region of northeastern France, using grapes sourced from multiple villages across the appellation.

What foods pair well with Krug 1998? Seared foie gras complements the wine's honeyed richness; roasted lobster or langoustine mirrors its buttery texture; aged Comté cheese echoes its nutty depth; wild mushroom risotto highlights the porcini and earthy undertones; and white truffle dishes amplify the wine's savory complexity.

What sizes does Krug 1998 come in? Krug Vintage 1998 is most commonly available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Krug 1998 worth the price? Krug 1998 sits firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Champagne, and its value lies in the combination of exceptional vintage conditions, Chardonnay-led rarity within the Krug range, and 13 years of cellar aging — factors that position it as a collectible benchmark rather than an everyday pour.

Why Krug 1998?

The 1998 vintage holds a unique place in Krug's history as only the second release where Chardonnay leads the assemblage, a distinction the house recognized with the informal title "Hommage au Chardonnay." That Chardonnay dominance, shaped by 13 years of lees contact, produces a vintage that balances opulent texture with razor-edged acidity — a combination that defines truly great aged Champagne. The 1998 growing season delivered fully ripe fruit with preserved natural acidity, and Krug's extended cellar aging transformed that raw material into a wine of remarkable depth and nuance. For collectors and serious Champagne enthusiasts, this remains one of the more distinctive and sought-after Krug vintages of the late twentieth century.