NV - Krug, Grande Cuvee 164eme Edition

Krug’s Grand Cuvee 164ème Edition is a blend of 127 different wines composed around the 2008 vintage with the oldest reserve wines from 1990. This barrel fermented blend of 48% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 17% Pinot Meunier presents opulent aromas of orange marmalade, dried apricots, apple tart, coffee, and butter croissant. The plush medium to full-bodied palate is bright and vivacious with notes of kumquat and preserved lemon intermingled with rich and light buttery puff pastry notes. Still young and lively, it finishes long with an attractive note of lemon zest. According to the Krug iD317025 the bottle tasted was disgorged in the third quarter of 2017 for release a year later in 2018.

A stellar Champagne, Krug"s NV Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition, (2008 base vintage) is painfully tight. The 164 is a fabulous wine, but readers should not fall into the temptation of opening a bottle anytime soon. Crushed rocks, slate, mint, sage and white pepper lend striking aromatic brightness. The 164 is just as compelling as it has always been. Even so, it needs time to be at its very best. The 164 is a blend based on 2008, with reserve wines back to 1990. Krug ID: 316031. (Originally published in May 2021)