Krug Grande Cuvée is the archetype of Krug’s philosophy of craftsmanship and savoir faire: a blend of more than 120 wines from ten or more different years.
Its exceptional finesse is the result of a stay of at least another six years in the cellars. Around twenty years are needed to craft each bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée: the first prestige Champagne re-created each year, beyond the very notion of vintage.
This half-bottle spent at least 6 years in Krug's cellars developing its particular expression and elegance, receiving its cork in autumn 2014.
As it is a half-bottle, it leaves the cellars earlier and we recommend that you enjoy it soon rather than keep it for later.
Every year since the foundation of the House of Krug, a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée is created to offer the fullest expression of Champagne.
This bottle belongs to the 164ème Édition, a blend of 127 wines from 11 different years. The youngest dates back to 2008 and the oldest to 1990. Every glass poured from it is the fruit of more than 24 years of careful craftsmanship.
Krug Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition was composed around the harvest of 2008. Following a mild winter, overcast spring and cool summer, there was concern over the maturation of the grapes, further compounded by a severe hailstorm that hit the village of Sainte-Gemme, reputed for its plots of Meunier. But in mid-September, the clouds miraculously parted and favourable conditions lasted throughout the harvest, which gave us grapes in excellent health and with a good level of maturity.
The year's Chardonnay wines revealed an unusual generosity and suppleness, while the Pinot Noirs were characterful and bold, with a lively finish. As feared, the hailstorm did indeed leave its mark on the Meuniers. As if waiting for just such an occasion in the House's extensive library reserve wines, two Sainte-Gemme Meuniers from 2002 and 2006 contributed their radiant fruit to the blend. Pinot Noir reserve wines from the southern plots of the Montagne de Reims brought liveliness while those from Verzenay and Ay in 2002 and 2004 gave elegant structure. Finally, reserve Chardonnays from Villers-Marmery and Trépail added their touch of freshness. In all, the reserve wines made up 38% of the final blend, bringing the breadth and roundness so essential to every Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée.
Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to offer the very best Champagne 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 fullest expression of Champagne.
The final composition of this bottle of Krug Grande Cuvée is 48% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 17% Meunier.
Krug Grande Cuvée is born from the dream of one man, Joseph Krug, to offer the very best Champagne 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 fullest expression of Champagne.
Eric Lebel
Tasting notes
As you taste it, notes of toasted bread, hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar and jellied fruits may take you by surprise. You may even taste hints of apples still on the tree, flowers in bloom, ripe and dried fruit, almonds, marzipan, gingerbread, sweet spices and even brioche and honey.
You may also notice its exceptional freshness in the mouth, with rich and tangy flavours of lemon and grapefruit enhanced by the subtlety of its fine and elegant bubbles. Krug Grande Cuvée can age beautifully.
Krug Grande Cuvée’s generous aromas will transform a simply prepared fish into a symphonic gastronomical experience. A Chef’s treasured creation from the sea will become even more exquisite when its flavours marry on the palate with the subtle freshness of Krug Grande Cuvée.
Over twenty years go into creating each bottle of Krug Grande Cuvee,
to pair it with black truffle is to create a union of the best of Nature’s offering.
Simply the smell of fresh, delicate truffle is enough to evoke the fresh scents
of autumn fruit in Krug Grande Cuvee; they can be combined in any way,
no matter how simple, the experience is unforgettable.
The simple artichoke, which appears so fleetingly
throughout the culinary calendar, makes a harmonious
partner for Krug Grande Cuvee.
Pureed it is aromatic and velvety,
reflecting the subtle hazelnut notes of Krug Grande Cuvee.
As the nights draw in, the evocative warmth of toasted chestnuts is irresistible.
Smokey, crunchy and yet soft, chestnuts enhance the wines
which compose Krug Grande Cuvee which can reach up to 15 years of age.
A simple association, together they achieve sublime refined elegance.
Krug Grande Cuvée lends itself to a wealth of culinary combinations, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, from an extra-mature parmesan to turbot à la truffe.
Among the many possibilities, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif with Jabugo ham and old comté, with a dish of oysters, grilled shrimps, Indian or Moroccan food, as well as with desserts such as carrot cake, tarte tatin and cheese cake.
ratings
"The Wines of our twenty years"
"Krug has always remained Krug. And Krug Grande Cuvée, in edition after edition, remains an incredible palette of grape varieties, terroirs and different years with confounding harmony. None symbolises better than Krug Grande Cuvée this quest of perfection centered around the foundation itself of Champagne wine: blending."
Bettane & Desseauve 2015
Note: 19/20
“This is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping. Drink now through 2028. ”–AN
For Krug Grande Cuvée, I have chosen Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto. It is one of the most generous masterpieces, full of joy, full of greatness, with a kind of majestic presence. I think it goes beautifully with the open spirit and generous fullness of Krug Grande Cuvée.
Beethoven - Van Cliburn & Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Fritz ReinerKhatia Buniatishvili_Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-Flat, Op. 73 "Emperor": III. Rondo – Allegro
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