Champagne Krug - Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition

Two years after disgorgement, this vintage, based on the 2015 harvest, has developed beautifully, showcasing all the sunshine of the base year with its soft notes of mandarin and apricot. It is surprisingly smooth and silky from the start before settling into its broad, inviting range of aromas—praline, cappuccino, and bitter almond—with a subtle hint of fruit peel. The intensity of the base vintage makes this a wine full of punch and richness, but it has been beautifully tamed to become a characteristic, smooth, and multifaceted Grande Cuvée. A blend of 131 wines, with reserves dating back to the year 2000.

The 171st Edition was crafted primarily from the 2015 vintage, characterized by unprecedented heat and drought, but saved by the rains that fell during the second half of August. In the glass, it displays a pale, fine-gold hue, enlivened by fine, lively bubbles, and a nose bursting with floral notes, citrus, pear, mirabelle plum, dried fruit, and subtly buttery brioche. A lively and invigorating attack gives way to a full-bodied, round, and indulgent palate, sustained by notes of toast, hazelnut, and lemon, energized by a touch of tartness on the finish. Depth, generosity, and elegance.

The Grande Cuvée 171st Edition is a delicious blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, and 18% Pinot Meunier. It features seductive and captivating aromas of dried fruit, pastries, lemon oil, marzipan, spring flowers, and ginger, with notes of almond and vanilla that become more pronounced with age. This medium- to full-bodied wine is precise and well-structured, with a lush, fruity core and a savory, incisive finish. Crafted from the 2015 vintage, the blend includes 131 reserve wines dating back as far as 2000 (42% of the total blend) and is expected to age beautifully over the next decade.

This 171st vintage stands in stark contrast to the 2015 vintage, drawing on a subtle blend of twelve other vintages and 131 wines. It offers a superb duality with a rather striking and inviting nose. Pastry notes, smokiness, toasty aromas, and a hint of frangipane combine with white flowers to create a wine that is already approachable and complex. On the palate, it reveals length, tension, and a soft, delicate mousse.

Based on the 2015 vintage, a blend of 134 base wines dating back to 2000. A very lively and crisp nose. Taut and surprisingly vibrant for such a hot growing season—positively explosive in terms of its impact on the nose and palate. Plenty of acidity and impressive length. A very good Krug Grande Cuvée.

The intensity and tension of this wine are impressive when you consider that the youngest wine from this vineyard dates back to 2015 (a hot, dry year), and that some of the wines go as far back as 2000. Ginger and orange zest. A hint of crème brûlée. It is medium-bodied, with notes of apple, pie crust, and flowers. It is salty and spicy, yet at the same time complex and magnificent. Chamomile and other floral teas round out the profile. The finish is rich and savory. A very strong finish. It really comes into its own at the end. Drink now or celller.

Spanning from 1998 to the 2015 vintage, the Champagne Grande Cuvée 171 offers a kaleidoscope of aromas, including orange marmalade, toasted brioche, almond, and ripe peaches. Full-bodied and round, it offers a hint of warmth on the finish, yet it is highly appealing, balanced, and long-lasting, with exceptional depth and richness. This fantastic expression of the Grande Cuvée is magnificent right out of the bottle and will be an excellent addition to any collector’s portfolio, to be enjoyed over the next two decades. Best enjoyed between 2023 and 2043.