Champagne Krug - Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition - Coffret luxe

Bettane & Desseauve

Decanter

About wine:

The youngest vintage (and the most significant, at 58%) in this blend is 2016. The 172nd edition of Krug showcases the exuberance of this vintage in a typically complex and heady setting. Some of the warmth and maturity of 2016 is present, with already expressive aromas of candied lemon, Seville orange, apricot macaroon, and cherry nougat. The inimitable depth of Krug's reserve wines, which here date back to 1998, envelops them with complexities of mocha, spices, and baked fruit. Already showing some signs of buttery depth and brown pastry, this Grande Cuvée is dense and harmonious. It is tighter and a little firmer than the 171st and needs more time to blossom. Disgorged in January 2023.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About wine:

The new version of Krug, the NV Grande Cuvée 172nd Edition, based on the 2016 vintage and comprising 11 vintages in total (the oldest being 1998), is exceptional. It reveals a complex and slightly spicy bouquet of white fruits, beeswax, marzipan, hazelnuts, dried herbs, ripe orchard fruits, and white flowers. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, rich and concentrated on the palate, it has a subtly spicy attack, an enveloping and layered texture, and a fleshy fruit core framing a perfectly balanced, fresh, and mineral finish. Made primarily from Pinot Noir (44%), complemented by 30% Chardonnay and the remainder Pinot Meunier, it was disgorged in the first quarter of 2023 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter. Keep for 5-10 years.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About wine:

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

Wine Enthusiast

About wine:

This is the most recent bottling of this iconic champagne. It has a hint of toastiness along with seductive apple and citrus aromas. On the palate, this wine is rich and intense, with a balance between maturity and ripe white fruit. It is a beautifully balanced wine, ready to drink.

Jancis Robinson

About wine:

Smooth, creamy, pure citrus aroma and subtly toasted. Clementine, jasmine. So many beautiful layers. A hint of ginger. It's intense and punchy. It's not bone dry, and the sweetness comes through a little at the finish for now, even though it's perfectly balanced. More fragrant as it opens up in the glass, but the autolytic character is mild. Orange blossom. Much more fragrant than I expected. Slightly sweet on the finish.

Vinous

James Suckling

About wine:

Beautiful notes of dried citrus, lemon curd, and dried apples with hints of spice, dried flowers, and subtle brioche. I love the polished, caressing texture and the consistent, refreshing acidity. It is fresh and even austere, with notes of ground spices. It is very vertical and firm. Structured and long. Drink now or keep.

Jeb Dunnuck

About wine:

Champagne NV Grande Cuvée 172 was created around the 2016 harvest year and enriched with 146 wines dating from 2016 to 1998. The nose is very pretty, with floral aromas, followed by notes of candied green apples, fresh flax, lime sorbet, redcurrants, delicate spices, and fresh almonds. The palate is round and medium-bodied, with a refined and delicately chalky texture, consistent and appetizing salinity, freshness, and a long, fresh finish. As it opens up, it begins to show its deeper profile in the blend, with notes of toast and crushed stone. This is a beautiful addition to the range that will have a wide drinking window and will improve with age over the next 20 years. Give it 3 to 4 years in the cellar.