Based on the 2008 vintage, Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition is really beginning to drink with some style, bursting from the glass with complex aromas of tangerine oil, crisp yellow apple, dried fruits, buttered toast, iodine and honeycomb, uniting attributes of youth and maturity, all wrapped up in Krug's signature toasty patina. Full-bodied, seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit, racy acids and an envelopingly pillowy mousse, it's an intense, sapid wine that is emerging as one of the best "young" renditions of Grande Cuvée for drinking today.
Harmonious and supple, the NV Champagne Grande Cuvée 164 spans the vintages of 1998 through 2008 and has all the components of a truly great Grand Cuvée. Opening in the glass to notes of preserved Meyer lemon, white peach, almond croissant, and incense, on the palate the wine is custardy and rounded, with a gorgeous pillowy mousse. Full-bodied and long, all its structure works in concert, with nothing sticking out, and it has a flourish of white pepper spice on the finish. This is a truly stunning Champagne. Drink 2023-2040.
The new 164 Edition release of Krug Grande Cuvée is a blend built around the 2008 vintage base wine. Bright lemon and vibrant in the glass, the nose is explosive with pure lemon curd, light toastiness and fresh brioche. There are complex, flinty, mineral and smoky notes and some crushed lime. The palate is vibrant and taut, with a stony, mineral core of citrus fruit fleshing out through the mid palate to reveal creamy, buttery fresh bread. The broader fruits through to the finish are cut by vibrant acidity, lifting and cleansing the palate. This is a concentrated, steely and complex wine with great tension, balance and finesse. There is huge potential for long ageing. The finish is enduring, flourishing with Krug’s textural breadth, lifted blossom fruit and flinty, nutty complexity both beguiling and incredibly moreish. A knockout Grande Cuvée, one of the best we have ever tasted.
Intense and complex, with lots of buttered toast, salted caramel, apricot compote, raspberries, praline, marmalade, white chocolate and preserved lemons. So much packed in the broad, deep and rich palate, yet bound together with sharp acidity and tight bubbles. So long and generous. 48% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay and 17% pinot meunier. Blend of 127 wines from 11 vintages, based on 2008 and going back to 1990. Drink or hold.
Dried raspberries, apples, dried lemons, toast, pastries, walnuts and smoked almonds on the nose. Crushed shells and and some smoky flint too. Full, layered and richly flavorful. Bright acidity. Creamy, soft bubbles. Very long and satisfying. 48% pinot noir, 35 chardonnay and 17% pinot meunier. Blend of 127 wines from 11 vintages, based on 2008 and going back to 1990. Drink or hold.
Based on the 2008 vintage complemented by some 22% reserve wines, Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition opens in the glass with notes of warm bread, crisp yellow orchard fruit, mandarin, buttered toast and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and textural, it's rich and vinous but incisive, with fine depth at the core, tangy acids and an elegant pinpoint mousse. More complete than its vintaged sibling in 2008, it does share some of the latter's reserve and is still a few years from its peak, even if it's already approachable with great pleasure now. 2021 - 2038