Krug ID | Krug Grande Cuvée | 213023

Krug Grande Cuvée 159^ème Édition

Composed around the harvest of 2003

Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Since 1843, the House of Krug has honoured this vision with each new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the most generous expression of Champagne.

Krug Grande Cuvée is re-created every year, beyond the notion of vintage and is a blend of over 120 individual wines from more than 10 different years. The fullness or flavours and aromas achieved by this careful art of blending would be impossible to express with the wines of a single year.

Champagne notes

COMPOSITION

51%

Pinot Noir

30%

Chardonnay

19%

Meunier

Blend

120 wines from 10 different years

Oldest wine from

1988

Youngest wine from

2003

Cork received

spring 2013

A talk with Julie Cavil

Krug Cellar Master

Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Each year, the House of Krug honours this dream with a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée: the most generous expression of Champagne.

Krug Grande Cuvée 159ème Édition was composed around the harvest of 2003. A year of such extremes was unheard of in living memory: a spring with severe frosts then a summer of record-breaking heat. The harvest began on 23rd August - the earliest since 1822 - and continued in waves until early October, ensuring each plot was harvested at the optimal moment.

When the time came to taste the wines of the year, the House's respect for the individual character of every plot revealed the different ways in which the year's dramatic conditions had impacted each of them. To complement the solar qualities of the wines of the year, the House turned to its extensive library of reserve wines, which made up 37% of the final blend. The addition of 1996 wines from Trépail and Avize lent vibrancy and freshness while a 1994 Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger gave structure. Chardonnays from more recent years brought the vitality so essential to every Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée.

Ratings

"A beautiful array of complex toastiness, fresh and roasted mushrooms, lemon, tangerine and peach, with honeysuckle and some spicy elements, too. The complexity and comfortingly rich, warming aromatic depth is in full song. The palate has vivacious, rich orange grapefruit, peach and lemon rind, with some exotic moments, and spicy flashes, too. There's a distinctive, plush and alluringly long, grapefruit and hazelnut finish."

James Suckling 2020

RATING: 97/100

Tasting notes

A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure.

Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread.

Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.

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Tasting notes

A light golden colour and fine, vivacious bubbles, holding a promise of pleasure.

Aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe, dried and citrus fruits, as well as marzipan and gingerbread.

Flavours of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey.

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KRUG X MUSIC

The House of Krug has long sensed that a link existed between sound and taste perception. Many appreciators of fine wine and Music, or anyone who has used the Krug App, understands the joy of savouring this extraordinary Champagne while listening to a piece of Music and how such an experience allows one to travel down direct pathways to the sensations.

The House collaborates with renowned artists, as well as with rising newcomers who compose original tracks following their tastings with the Cellar Master. Their Music Pairings or “Krug Echoes” are accessible to anyone on Krug.com or via the Krug app, making it possible to share their unforgettable experience with Krug Champagne at home.

DISCOVER KRUG ECHOES

FOOD PAIRING

Krug Grande Cuvée lends itself to a wealth of culinary combinations, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, from an aged parmesan to turbot à la truffe. This Champagne can be enjoyed as an aperitif with Jabugo ham and mature comté or served to accompany oysters, grilled shrimps, Indian or Moroccan food, as well as desserts such as carrot cake, tarte tatin and cheesecake.

FOOD PAIRING

STORING & SERVING

The Right Temperature

The House of Krug recommends that its Champagnes be served between 9°C and 12°C, as colder temperatures limit the expression of their flavours and aromas.

The Right Glass

In 2011 the House of Krug partnered with renowned crystal maker, Riedel, to design a glass that would most generously reveal the fullness of flavours and aromas of Krug Grande Cuvée.

The Influence of Time

Krug offers only prestige Champagnes, the most important characteristic of which is that they will gain beautifully with the passage of time.

Wine Diamonds

The House of Krug’s unique craftsmanship is based on our understanding every plot through its individual wine. After several tastings by the tasting committee, a thorough assessment of each plot’s wine is achieved.