Every Note Counts is an encounter between two uncompromising minds: Krug Cellar Master Julie Cavil and genre-defying composer, pianist, and producer Max Richter. A dialogue driven by a shared pursuit of precision and experimentation.
Drawing inspiration from every note of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2008, Krug 2008, and Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition, Max Richter envisioned three musical pieces: Clarity, Ensemble, and Sinfonia – three variations on 2008.
From vineyard to studio, from Reims to Oxfordshire, this is an exploration of a shared vision: that craft lies in the detail. A testament that – whether in Champagne or in music – every note counts.
Max Richter’s compositions will be revealed in February 2026, alongside a documentary that goes behind the scenes of this musical journey.
THE YEAR 2008
IN THREE EXPRESSIONS
In 2008, nature bestowed Champagne with the promise of an exceptional harvest.
It was a classic northern climate, with normal rainfall, a dry summer and constant temperatures throughout the growing season. This absence of extremes resulted in slow and steady grape maturation that yielded intense, elegant and beautifully structured fruit.
During tastings, the Clos d’Ambonnay astounded Cellar Master Julie Cavil and Krug’s Tasting Committee with captivating intensity, warranting a solo performance with the creation of Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2008.
Continuing their encounters with each plot’s wine, the Tasting Committee determined the year had an extraordinary musical score to perform. A vintage was declared, and Krug 2008 was born.
To compose the symphony of champagne, crafted around the harvest of 2008, they harmoniously blended wines of the year with reserve wines of previous harvests to reveal Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition.
Today, these champagnes are presented as Krug from Soloist to Orchestra in 2008, Act 2. A rare offer – with only 200 cases produced – featuring three cuvées composed around the harvest of 2008.
KRUG CLOS D’AMBONNAY 2008
Crafted from a single plot, a single grape variety, and a single harvest year, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2008 is a virtuoso soloist. It is the singular expression of the Pinot Noir a tiny walled plot of 0.68 hectares (1.68 acres) in the heart of Ambonnay.
“Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2008 is a champagne of timeless elegance where each drop speaks quiet volumes.”
– Julie Cavil, Krug Cellar Master
KRUG 2008
Krug 2008, the small ensemble, is a paradoxical harmony of contrasting flavours that are together expressive, balanced and intense on the palate. It exhibits both power and elegance with a textured and intense mouthfeel very characteristic of the year’s wine, which uniquely reconciled intensity and quality.
“What struck us about the wines of 2008 was that they were very vertical, like a forest of towering oaks: straight, tall, anchored in the ground, but also looking toward the sky.”
– Julie Cavil, Krug Cellar Master
Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition
Crafted around the harvest of 2008, Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition is the full symphony of champagne. It is a blend of 127 wines from 11 different years, the oldest from 1990 and the youngest from 2008. Its final composition is 48% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, and 17% Meunier. Reserve wines make up 32% of the final composition.
“Blending so many unique sounds from different years lends a generosity of flavours and aromas that could not be expressed with the wines of just one year.”
– Julie Cavil, Krug Cellar Master
EVERY NOTE
COUNTS
Max Richter and Julie Cavil ventured into each other’s artistic realms, united by a shared desire for discovery. In the visionary, nonconformist spirit of founder Joseph Krug, their convergence of craft gives rise to an unforgettable music pairing experience.
The exceptional harvest of 2008 inspired Julie Cavil to compose three distinctive expressions — each the result of meticulous craft, experimentation, and a deep understanding of the generosity that time could bring.
Moved by the sensations and emotions that these three champagnes convey, Max Richter responded in his own language: music. He composed three original pieces in dialogue with the cuvées — not just to accompany them, but to reflect each of their characters.
These musical pieces recompose the singularity of the 2008 harvest, built from a trio of champagnes — named Krug from Soloist to Orchestra in 2008, Act 2 — which encapsulates the Maison’s unique craftsmanship and winemaking philosophy.
From vineyard to studio, from Reims to Oxfordshire, Every Note Counts is an exploration of a shared vision. Two disciplines, two methods, united by one belief: that craft is in the detail. And that the most generous creations are those made with precision, purpose, and care.
A MUSICAL
JOURNEY
The artistic journey behind Every Note Counts is revealed in a documentary that shines a light on the dialogue between two creators. Available to stream from February 2026, discover the trailer now.
KRUG
& MUSIC
Maison Krug has long understood the influence of sound on taste perception, applying the concept of food pairing to music. In a constant pursuit to enhance the tasting experience of our champagnes Krug presents music pairings crafted by a worldwide community of artists. Every Note Counts is the latest chapter in this series of creative encounters.
Moreover, for Maison Krug, Music is a natural analogy for our craft, where Cellar Master Julie Cavil is like a conductor: she identifies with precision the unique melody of each wine, auditioning some 250 wines – or musicians – of the year, along with around 150 older musicians from more than 10 different years, conserved in our vast library of reserve wines. Every year, her mission is to re-create the dream of Joseph Krug to craft the symphony of Champagne, with a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée.
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