Champagne Krug - Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition - Coffret luxe

The youngest (and largest, at 58%) vintage in this blend is 2016. The 172nd edition of Krug showcases the exuberance of this vintage within a characteristically complex and heady framework. Some of the warmth and ripeness of 2016 is present, with already expressive aromas of candied lemon, Seville orange, apricot macaron, and cherry nougat. The inimitable depth of Krug’s reserve wines—which in this case date back to 1998—envelops them in complexities of mocha, spices, and baked fruit. Already showing some signs of buttery depth and dark pastry notes, this Grande Cuvée is remarkably dense and harmonious. It is tighter and slightly firmer than the 171st and requires more time to fully develop. Disgorged in January 2023.

The new release from Krug, the NV Grande Cuvée 172nd Edition—based on the 2016 vintage and comprising a total of 11 vintages (the oldest being 1998)—is exceptional. It reveals a complex and slightly spicy bouquet of white fruits, beeswax, marzipan, hazelnuts, dried herbs, ripe orchard fruits, and white flowers. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, rich, and concentrated on the palate, it features a subtly spiced attack, a coating, layered texture, and a fleshy core of fruit framing a perfectly balanced, fresh, and mineral finish. Made primarily from Pinot Noir (44%), supplemented by 30% Chardonnay and the remainder Pinot Meunier, it was disgorged in the first quarter of 2023 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter. Cellar for 5–10 years.

Grande Cuvée, 172nd Edition, is a magnificent Krug. Built around the exceptional 2016 vintage, with 146 wines from 11 different vintages (dating back to 1998), it features notes of fresh almonds and white flowers, with a refined, complex, very long, and mouth-watering palate. The mousse is velvety; it possesses a controlled power that coats the palate. It is already superb and will only improve with patient aging in the bottle.

This is the most recent vintage of this iconic champagne. It features a hint of toast along with enticing aromas of apple and citrus. On the palate, this wine is rich and intense, striking a balance between maturity and ripe white fruit. It is a beautifully balanced wine, ready to drink.

Smooth, creamy, with a pure citrus aroma and subtle toasty notes. Clementine, jasmine. So many magnificent layers. A hint of ginger. It’s intense and punchy. It’s not bone-dry, and the sweetness comes through a bit on the finish for now, even though it’s perfectly balanced. It becomes more fragrant as it opens up in the glass, but the autolytic character is mild. Orange blossom. Much more fragrant than I expected. Slightly sweet on the finish.

Beautiful notes of dried citrus, lemon curd, and dried apples, with hints of spices, dried flowers, and a subtle hint of brioche. I love the smooth, velvety texture and the balanced, refreshing acidity. It’s fresh and even austere, with notes of ground spices. It’s very upright and firm. Well-structured and long-finishing. Drink now or cell it...

The NV Grande Cuvée 172 Champagne was created around the 2016 vintage and was blended with 146 wines dating from 2016 to 1998. The nose is very lovely, with floral aromas followed by notes of candied green apples, fresh flax, lime sorbet, red currants, delicate spices, and fresh almonds. On the palate, it is round and medium-bodied, with a refined, delicately chalky texture, a consistent and appetizing salinity, freshness, and a long, crisp finish. As it opens up, it begins to reveal the deeper aspects of the blend, with notes of toasted bread and crushed stone. It’s a wonderful addition to the lineup that will have a wide drinking window and will continue to improve over the next 20 years. Allow it 3 to 4 years of cellaring.