Krug : Grande Cuvée 172th Edition

This classy Champagne waltzes across the palate with fluid poise and grace. The mousse's pointillism-like beads and a vivid frame of acidity buoy the detailed range of aromas and flavors, including chopped cherry, dried apricot, tangerine peel and plum cake notes, plus fragrant hints of grated ginger, lime blossoms, ground coffee and grilled nuts. A tang of salinity drives the racy, lingering finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier. Disgorged winter 2022 to 2023 (Krug ID 123003). Drink now through 2040.

The youngest year (and largest component, at 58%) in this blend is 2016. Krug’s 172nd Edition casts the exuberance of that vintage in a typically complex, heady frame. Some of the heat and ripeness of 2016 is here, with aromas leaning toward candied lemon, Seville orange, apricot macaroon and cherry nougat, already expressive. Krug’s inimitable depth of reserve wines, here reaching back as far as 1998, wraps them in complexities of mocha, baking spice and baked fruits. Already showing hints of buttery, browned pastry depth, this is a Grande Cuvée of density and harmony. It is tighter and a little firmer than the 171ème and more in need of time to unfurl. Disgorged January 2023.

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 172ème 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. Krug ID: 123003.

Light yellow-green with silver reflections and a fine mousse. A hint of brioche and blossom honey on the nose, alongside subtle nuances of tropical fruit, Mirabelle plum and candied orange peel. Juicy and taut on the palate with a streak of quince on the finish and a floral aftertaste. The creamy texture has a mineral edge and very good length. An exceptionally harmonious food companion with certain ageing potential. (ID123004, PM).

Grande Cuvée 172nd Edition is a magnificent Krug. Built around the superb 2016 vintage, with 146 wines from 11 different vintages (going back to 1998), it shows notes of fresh almonds and white flowers, with a chiseled, complex, very long and mouthwatering palate. The mousse is cottony, it has controlled power and coats the palate. It is already superb and will gain further complexity with patient bottle aging.

This is the most recent bottling of this iconic Champagne. There is a touch of toast as well as enticing apple and citrus aromas. On the palate, this wine is rich, intense, poised between maturity and ripe white fruits. It is beautifully balanced and ready to drink.