Krug Grande Cuvee NV (3L)

96+ Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "Based on the 2013 vintage and complemented by some 40% reserve wines dating back to 2000, Krug's newly released NV Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition is showing very nicely, unfurling in the glass with notes of citrus oil, buttered toast, dried apricot, warm biscuits and marmalade. Medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, it's a tauter, more chiseled rendition of Grande Cuvée by comparison with the richer, more textural and more demonstrative 168ème Édition (based on the 2012 vintage) that preceded it; but its bright spine of acidity is nicely cloaked in fruit. Concluding with a long and sapid finish, this is a very classically balanced Champagne that will reward bottle age." 09/21

94 Points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous: "Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 169ème Édition is brisk and finely cut, with terrific energy driving the citrus, floral and light tropical notes. Even with all of its energy, the 169 balances the vibrancy of the late-ripening 2013 vintage it is built on, with the depth that the reserve wines added to the blend. The 169 drinks well now but clearly has the potential to age. The 169 is a blend of 146 separate wines back to 2000. " 08/21

97 Points, James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com: "Instantly recognizable aromatic depth and complexity here. The DNA of Grande Cuvée looms large on the nose with fresh-baked brioche, crushed almond, subtle baking spices and stony notes, as well as an array of stone fruit. The palate delivers a wide spectrum of citrus, from lemon to orange to grapefruit and beyond. The chardonnay really impresses in a long, concentrated mode. 43% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay and 22% pinot meunier. It contains 40% reserve wine and is composed of 146 different components from 11 different vintages, the youngest being 2013 and the oldest 2000. Drink or hold." 06/21

96 Points, Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator: "A vivid Champagne, with a chiseled frame of acidity and a chalky underpinning cloaked in a fine mousse that caresses the palate with its gossamer-like texture. Lovely aromas of coffee liqueur, anise and verbena accent the layered flavors of tangerine, Macadamia nut, brioche and ripe plum, a profile that expands on the long, mouthwatering finish. There's power and expressive character to this, with a delicacy to its fine integration and length. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged winter 2019 to 2020. Drink now through 2030." 11/21

95 Points, John Gilman, View From The Cellar: "The new release of Krug Grande Cuvée, the 169ème Édition, is from the base year of 2013, but includes fully forty percent of reserve wines all the way back to the harvest of 2000. The cépages for this new iteration of Grande Cuvée is forty-three percent pinot noir, thirty-five percent chardonnay and twenty-two percent pinot meunier. The wine is beautifully expressive on the nose, wafting from the glass in a complex blend of pear, apple, a touch of passion fruit, chalky soil tones, brioche, incipient notes of caraway seed, just a whisper of buttery oak and lovely floral tones in the upper register from the pinot meunier component in the cépages. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and racy, with a great core, zesty acids, elegant mousse and a very long, very pure and perfectly balanced finish. This is really a stunning new version of Grande Cuvée. It is approachable already, but I would be inclined to give it just a few more years in the cellar and let its girdle of acidity relax a bit more, so that the wine can deepen and broaden in its palate impression. Fine, fine juice. 2024-2075." #92 04/21

96 Points, Andy Howard MW, Decanter: "Great intensity and drive combine with a rich and complex palate, where truffle and woody notes develop as the wine breathes. This feels very youthful and, although it is non-vintage and designed to be drunk on release, I think this will gain more complexity with some extra time in bottle. Powerful yet refined – a very fine Krug based on the 2013 vintage, utilising wines from 11 different years, of which the oldest is 2000." 06/21