What is the greatest champagne you ever had?

More so the greatest in terms of the wine itself rather than the surroundings of which you drank it (even though the latter may be more special).

I suspect Krug pops up on these lists most often but maybe not?

(Popping the cork and pouring a glass for everyone here. Hoping everyone likes Taittinger Comtes de Champagne on this fine evening...)

Jeff

[David M. Bueker]

I could never name just one.

'85 Kruger is indeed up there, but I have had equally great Champagnes from many other producers. '85 Bolly RD, '90 Salon, as well as some small grower wines such as Pierre Peters and Vilmart have been truly great.

Tough to choose but a 1988 Cristal 3 years ago was exceptional. More recently, from last year, a 20+ year old Krug NV.

I'm in the impossible to choose.
I've had some stunning older Champagnes, but '96 though young is my favorite vintage ever- the Pierre Peters Speciale, the Winston Churchill, the Taittinger Comtes all make me swoon/
For rose, maybe the 89 Billecart-Salmon Elizabeth.

[James Roscoe]

The 02 Tattinger is pretty dang god. The '89 Louise is probably the best I have had. Never had a Krug.

I had several 1990s at MOCOOL a few years ago and some were stunning. It was my first exposure to aged Champagne and I was astounded by the complex, earthy flavors that they develop.

1996 Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d'Or

[Robin Garr]

I'm in the camp with those who say "impossible to respond."

As a wine writer, I've had the good fortune to get a taste out of some spectacular bottles at wineries, interviews and tastings. A Krug vertical. A sip of Bollinger's special cuvee made from the tiny pre-phylloxera patch on the estate. Both verticals and horizontals at Dom Perignon. Lots of individual or small-group visits with wine makers, both the majors and farmer fizz. All memorable, but also somewhat clinical.

Probably the best Champagne memories aren't about the wine but about the occasion and the people I shared them with. But that's another story for another day.

Even though I was witness to a bottle of NV Krug being sabered open a little after midnight tonight, it ain't CdC or Salon.

Perhaps my all time favorite may be the 1999 Taittinger CdC, with the caveat that I've found it FAR better out of magnum than out of a 750 ml bottle.

1995 Salon, 1990 Krug, 1996 Krug and 2006 Marie-Noelle Ledru Cuvée du Goulté are right up there as well among some of my all time favorite Champagnes.

I've had celestial Champagne from Krug, Bolly RD & GA, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Dom.P, Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Nicole Moncuit and wonderful still red Coteaux Champenois Ambonnay from Egly-Ouriet. Krug is nowadays out of my price range and Bolly, formerly the most accessible of Grandes Marques, seems to be escalating fast. Still, there are plenty of excellent grower champagnes (récoltants manipulants), like Moncuit, Larmandier-Bernier, etc. to explore.

Incidentally I have also had disappointments from Bollinger, particularly GA 1988, which acquired strongly cheesy aromas.

Ah, good. Someone else here is a fan of Coteaux Champenois. Haven't had Egly, but a few from growers like Larmandier-Bernier, Ledru and others have been fantastic for the most part.

Amongst the many over the years ..... two stand out ..... Bollinger RD 1975 - disgorged about 1995 - drunk not long after - amazing ..... and Krug Clos du Mesnil 1985 ..... the perfect Champagne.

Not much of a bubbly fan but I do recognize the greatness in Salon, Krug and some Bollinger and Selosse. The best one? For sure a Salon or Clos du Mesnil, probably the 1985 of the latter or the 1988 of the former.

Funny nobody has yet mentioned a DP...

Greetings from Sweden / Fredrik L

'96 billecart cuve nicolas francois and '96 vilmart coeur de cuvee

Krug Clos du Mesnil, I don't recall the vintage date.

-Paul W.

Interesting. Almost everyone seems to be going after that rich yeast autolysis. Indeed, I had had many an excellent bottle of Bollinger RD and Krug. Yet the most enjoyable Champagnes I've had were Dom Ruinart, probably the '71 having been the best of the bunch (other vintages from late '60s through '75). Remember I haven't had an excellent Champagne from any producer since 1984, though there have been a couple of acceptable kosher ones. In any case, the purity of fruit and perfect balance were the remarkable things about these Dom Ruinarts. Very well priced as well, as I recall.

It's been over thirty years, but I remember this bottle like it was yesterday!

N/V Cedric Bouchard but over seven years on the lees!
Best, Jim

[David M. Bueker]

That '96 Krug was one heck of a wine. I've had it three times now, and it's always absolutely fantastic.

Cedric Bouchard wines have always been good, but never really struck me as great.

That '96 Krug was one heck of a wine. I've had it three times now, and it's always absolutely fantastic.

Cedric Bouchard wines have always been good, but never really struck me as great.

I have yet to have a Krug I liked.
But the Bouchard in the image not only struck me as great Champagne (although I claim no expertise there) but one of the best wines I have ever had.
First tasted at a party, I went out the next day and bought all I could afford. Diane and I save it or the big moments in our life. And we both think it exceptional.
Best, Jim

Krug 1996, which may be the greatest wine I've had period.