NEW: KRUG GRANDE CUVEE 168

As lockdown began, the House of Krug was getting ready to ship their latest Krug, the 168th edition of Krug's ultimate multi-vintage Grande Cuvée.  #168 is special - and based around the excellent 2012 vintage.

2012 was a beautiful year with a small crop of particularly excellent, concentrated Pinot Noir.  But - there will be no Vintage Krug 2012, in favour of Grande Cuvee - testament to Krug's founding principle of dedicating their best juice to make the best Grande Cuvee every year; & Vintage Krug made second. The quality is there in 2012 but sadly, not the quantity....

42% reserve wines were used - the oldest 1996, another highly acclaimed vintage - adding minerality and tension to dial down the richness of 2012.  The final blend is 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier from 198 wines, from 11 different years in characteristic Krug complexity.

I tasted a bottle yesterday for the online launch with Olivier Krug - and was struck by its generosity on the nose. - intense, buttery pastry with ripe citrus and candied peel, then buttery and deep like a Grand Cru Burgundy, salty and racy with seamless fine bubbles leading to a long tense finish. Flamboyant elegance.

"I think this is going to be a really great, glamorous Grande Cuvée that will continue to develop in bottle for many years to come."
Jancis Robinson

A fabulous Champagne and undoubtedly the best Grande Cuvee since #164 (£850-900/6 IB), it has already received a huge 19/20 score from Jancis Robinson. Perfect with food, it will give huge pleasure in its richness and depth already, but will gain with age.