Ratings & Tasting Notes:
96 points Decanter
Review Date: 04/2024
Another glimpse into 2006 (around which this Grande Cuvée is based), this offers up an incredibly nutty profile, combining grilled cashews, bitter walnut skin and cinnamon with a decadent accent of crème patissière. It’s nifty and lithe though, with gorgeous succulent sweetness and richness, finishing with the pure pleasure of pecan and maple richness. A blend of 163 separately vinified wines from 11 different years, back to 1990. (NE)
95 points Int’l Wine Review
Review Date: 11/2015
This ‘Grande Cuvée’ is another simply spectacular release from Krug. It begins with dazzling aromas of hazelnuts, brioche, red delicious apple and poached pear. This leads to flavors of brioche, pear and golden delicious apple with Meyer lemon rind rounding out the citrus component. Balanced and forward, this wine has an incredible texture and it is impossible to resist right now. A truly memorable bottling. Disgorged in 2014. (OB)
95 points James Suckling
Review Date: 08/2023
A rich and dense wine with lots of dried fruits and a slight waxiness. It’s full and layered with beeswax and lemon blossom with some lemon curd. Hints of honey, especially on the finish. Rich and flavorful.
Cult Wines International Notes:
The Krug ID on this bottle indicates that it is the 162eme edition.
Composed around the harvest of 2006, Krug Grande Cuvée 162ème Édition is a blend of 163 wines from 11 different years. The youngest is from the year 2006 and the oldest dates back to 1990.
In all, reserve wines from the House’s extensive library made up 40% of the final blend, bringing the breadth and roundness so essential to each Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée.
The final composition of this champagne is 44% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 21% Meunier.
In all, over 20 years of careful craftsmanship were necessary to enjoy Krug Grande Cuvée 162ème Édition.
The Krug Grande Cuvée 162ème Édition represents the pinnacle of the House’s philosophy of “re-creating” the most generous expression of Champagne every year, regardless of annual climate variations. Founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, the House was built on the non-conformist idea that a great Champagne house should offer two prestige cuvées of equal quality: one tied to the year (the Vintage) and one that transcends the notion of vintage itself. The 162ème Édition is a blend of 163 wines from 11 different years, with the youngest dating back to 2006 and the oldest to 1990. This meticulous assemblage, which spent seven years aging in Krug’s cellars, exemplifies the House’s dedication to individuality, as every plot is vinified separately in small oak barrels to preserve its unique character before being selected for the final blend.
The 2006 growing season, which serves as the foundation for this edition, was a year of dramatic contrasts in Champagne. The cycle began with a cold winter and a rainy spring, but transitioned into a sweltering, dry June and July. This heat was followed by a particularly wet and cool August, which initially caused concern regarding fruit health and acidity levels. However, a sunny and warm September provided a “miraculous” finish, allowing the grapes—particularly the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay—to achieve excellent maturity and a rounded, aromatic richness. By blending this “solar” 2006 base with older reserve wines from cooler years, Krug achieved a 162ème Édition defined by its remarkable vivacity, depth, and the signature complexity of toasted nuts, honey, and citrus that defines the Krug style.
Bottle Size:
750 mL
Storage History:
Always stored on its side in a climate-controlled cellar.
Condition:
Please note: The bottle shown is the exact bottle being sold.
Outstanding condition.
