The 2002 Krug vintage is not only high in quality, but is also gaining significantly in value on the secondary market. Photo Credit: Flickr CC user Malmaison Hotels
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Krug’s Value Is Increasing
According to the latest Liv-ex Power 100 Report, Krug was Champagne’s most impressive performer in 2017. This means that the producer’s individual wines increased in value significantly and that the estate sold a large number of unique bottles last year. While Krug usually makes it onto Liv-ex’s Power 100 list, the producer is currently performing better than it ever has. In 2016, Krug took 58th place on Liv-ex’s list, and in 2017, the producer moved up to 15th place on the list. This is a historical moment for Champagne; it’s the greatest increase in ranking that any producer in the region has ever experienced.
Krug’s success is the result of its stellar reputation and the immense excitement surrounding the vintage. When critics first sampled early tastings of the 2002 Krug vintage, they didn’t simply praise it; they declared it the “vintage of the decade.” Some critics even claim that the wine may be the best of the century for Champagne. James Suckling says that the 2002 Krug vintage is “flawlessly fresh and as perfect as it gets.” The wine is deeply complex and has a custard-like richness, even in its youth, yet it also has bright citrus notes that give the wine a zesty energy. Although critics say that the wine tastes perfect already, they recommend holding onto it until at least 2020 in order to get the most out of these complex flavors. This is the type of wine that you can store for 50 years or more if you are so inclined. It has incredible aging potential, even compared to other great Champagne vintages like the 1990 and the 1996 (for more information on cellaring bubbly, see our guide to aging Champagne).
The Popularity of Champagne
The 2002 Krug vintage is just one of many fine releases from Champagne that we’ve seen recently. Reviewer Julia Armfield says that 2002 Champagne is “so good that it is almost a brand in its own right.” If you’re looking for a sound Champagne investment this year, then the 2002 vintage should be at the top of your wish list. We’re seeing more 2002 Champagne on the secondary market, as many of the top estates are just beginning to release their best wines from this legendary year. In vintages when the weather conditions are perfect, the best estates often hold a number of vintage bottles for 10 years or more, allowing them time to age a bit before they reach collectors and enthusiasts. Krug allowed its 2002 vintage to age for 15 years before it was officially released, and many other high-quality estates followed suit.
As a result, Champagne as a whole is a hot ticket on the wine market. With these new 2002 releases, collectors are buying up as many bottles as they can, before prices skyrocket. Champagne sales are up by 5.3 percent compared to last year, and currently, the region has almost the same share of the wine market as Italy. Collectors are especially interested in 2002 Champagne because these wines are offering them a 10 percent return on investment, at a minimum, and often much, much more. The 2002 Krug Champagne vintage is currently offering collectors an impressive 60 percent return on investment. This figure is likely only temporary–the vintage will probably stabilize in price over the next few years–but for now, while demand is very high, collectors who are lucky and move quickly can make a fast profit from the 2002 Krug vintage.
How to Invest in the 2002 Krug Vintage
Because this wine is in high demand, it may be difficult to locate bottles of the 2002 Krug vintage. The good news is that nearly every top producer in Champagne made near-perfect wines in 2002, so you don’t have to hold out for Krug’s offerings alone. Estates like Gonet-Médeville, Salon, and Bollinger all made exceptional wines that year that will get only better with time. Any grand cru 2002 Champagne should be able to age at least 30 years, and you’ll likely want to wait until at least 2020 to uncork the 2002 vintage, as the wines still need time to mature properly. In the meantime, you may consider trying a few bottles of non-vintage Krug, as these wines are also delicious, even if they’re not quite as collectible as their vintage peers.
Since the aging potential of the 2002 Krug vintage is so impressive, this is a wine that may thrive most in professional storage, where conditions will remain extremely stable over the long term. By caring for these bottles properly today, you’ll set yourself up to make a profit in the future and ensure that all of the complex flavors come through over the next few decades.
Whether you are starting your high-end wine collection or adding to an established portfolio, Vinfolio is your partner in buying, selling, and professional storage. Contact us today to get access to the world’s finest wine.
