NV Krug Grande Cuvee Edition 169
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Tasting notes
Based on the 2013 vintage, the 169th Edition of Krug’s Grande Cuvée is a beautifully precise wine. The nose is restrained at first, pithy and an almost smoky, chalky minerality. As the wine unfurls with air, aromas of lemon peel, marzipan, sugared almonds, crème pâtissière, freshly baked brioche, jasmine and lime blossom emerge. On the palate, this is all about structure and texture – the wine tightly coiled at this youthful stage. It is taut, mineral and powerful – concentrated and on the right side of austere. A lemon curd backbone is complemented by a yeasty, almost savoury edge, the mousse fine and persistent, yet the wine mouth-filling. The energy and potential of this wine pulses, building to a long, bone-dry, saline finish. A blend of 43% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier, it is a blend of a staggering 146 base wines from 11 vintages, stretching back to 2000.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Deep copper gold. Tiny, tiny bead. Much more obvious acidity, age and (lightly oaky?) savour on the nose than Cristal 2013. Aérien with blossomy notes with a little mandarin. Very marked acidity on the palate. A real wake-up call! Sleek and fresh and truly spring-like with a light yeasty note on the very long finish. The most pleasure to be had initially is in the nose and the finish. The palate is still a bit of shock. This should have a long life. Bone-dry finish and playing the intellectual card. Throbs on the palate with all its vibrancy. Long. Tighter than the 168ème Édition. Structure dominates fruit.
About the producer
Krug is a remarkable Champagne House which only makes prestige cuvées. The wines – with their distinctive rich, complex, oxidative style – are some of the region’s best.