Krug Grande Cuvee EDITION 163

Krug Grande Cuvee 163.jpg

Krug have announced their flagship blend, “Grande Cuvée”  will now have a unique edition number clearly printed on the main label - allowing us to identify the cuvée and the blend as with their vintage years.

“Krug Grande Cuvée, Edition 163” marks the 163rd release since 1843 when Krug was founded - with the aim of making the richest, most generous expression of Champagne consistently, not only in vintage years.  

Many of us will have had the experience of tasting Grande Cuvée with bottle age but no two releases are the same.  With a seemingly generic non-vintage label it was formerly almost impossible to trace a bottle’s age unless meticulous cellar records had been kept.  This new labelling now allows us to identify Grande Cuvées according to edition; also to find details blend and corresponding tasting notes from the critics on release and as it ages.

The first release, “Edition 163” is an extraordinary blend of 183 wines from 12 different years, the oldest from 1990 and the youngest from 2007.  The final composition is: 37% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay and 31% Meunier. It was disgorged in winter 2014/2015, havng spent over 8 years ageing in the Krug cellars gaining depth, harmony, finesse and elegance.

Krug’s priority is to use their best juice to enrich Grande Cuvée.  Unique among Champagne houses, the decision to release a single vintage Champagne is made second, and only if quality and quantity allow (so the small but excellent quality 2012 harvest is destined for Grande Cuvée only).  Unquestionably the finest, most expensive Champagne without a vintage on the label: there is an incredible richness and depth to Grande Cuvée thanks to the ages in the blend.  Completely different from a NV blend and far more complex than single vintage release, Champagne lovers know that Grande Cuvée with bottle age is very special indeed, equivalent in quality to a Krug vintage (and sometimes better).  The rich, nutty, dry style has found many notable fans including Madonna, John le Carré, Sir Alec Guinness and Ernest Hemingway.

 

KRUG GRANDE CUVEE, EDITION 163

This mouthwatering Champagne shows a lovely sense of finesse, with firm acidity deftly married to a rich profile of crème de cassis, toasted brioche and lime blossom, accented by hints of café au lait, singed orange peel and exotic spice. Long and plush on the finish. Disgorged 2014. Drink now through 2024." 

95pts Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator, October 2016


 
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