Krug Grande Cuvee Brut 172ème Edition Champagne with Gift Box

Winemaker Notes: Krug Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition was composed around the harvest of 2016, a year of weather conditions so contrasted, they became a caricature of the climatic pendulum. An extremely wet spring, with 70% more rainfall versus the norm between April and June, made vineyard work difficult and increased disease pressure. Clement weather ensued from flowering onwards, allowing the vineyard to recover, ending with a heatwave at the end of ripening. The marathon harvest took place from September 9 to October 2 yielding classic grapes in good health and wines all about expression and character, regardless of grape variety or origin.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Decanter - "The 172ème édition, based around the 2016 vintage, is a delicate, floral and saline Grande Cuvée at this early stage in its life. The palate it taut, tightly wound, gradually unfurling into toasted fruit bread, rye bread and roasted nuts, wrapped around an intricate and taut lemon core. It's exceptionally long, spicy, rounded and spherical in shape. Notes of sweet unsalted butter round out the finish, which has such length, elegance and balance. 58% of the wine is from the 2016 vintage, which saw a lot of rain in the spring and close to flowering, with 42% from reserve wines. The blend is made up of 146 separately vinified wines from 11 different years, and the oldest wine in the blend is from the 1998 vintage."


James Suckling - "Beautiful notes of dried citrus fruit, lemon curd and dried apples with hints of spices, dried flowers and subtle brioche. I like the polished and caressing texture and steady, refreshing acidity. It’s fresh and even austere, with notes of ground spices. So vertical and firm. Structured and long."


Vinous - "The NV Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition is a gracious, sublime Champagne. Light citrus notes, white flowers, spice, marzipan and chamomile inflections all run through this delicate, nuanced Grande Cuvée. The 172eme is a Champagne of understatement and class that is very much a reflection of the base year. Brisk acids pull it all together. The Grande Cuvée is often quite accessible on release, but this is an Edition I would cellar for at least another year or two. It’s a fine effort from Krug. The 172ème Édition is a blend of 44% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay and 20% Meunier based on 2016 with reserve wines back to 1998. Disgorged: Winter 2022-2023."