99 points Bettanne & Desseauve: "Always so much attention and search for balance to calm its grandiose power on the hazelnut and the toast. The cuvée presents even more energy than usual. Immense precision of aromatic definition, striking final tone. It is very big. (2022)"
97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Based largely on the 2013 vintage, the NV Grand Cuvée 169eme Edition is another brilliant example of this Champagne that does everything right. Still young and tight, it reveals a vibrant bouquet of stone fruits, toasted bread, chalky minerality, and subtle nutty nuances. Quite fat and concentrated on the palate, this full-bodied beauty has a fine, silky mousse, wonderful balance, and a great, focused, chiseled finish. It's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly for 20+ years or more. This is gorgeous and certainly in the same league as the 168eme Edition. Drink: 2023-2043. (11/8/21)"
97 points James Suckling: "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. (6/2/21)"
96+ points William Kelley (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. Drink: 2021-2050. (Sep 2021)"
96-97 points Essi Avellan, MW: "Based on the 2013 vintage, Grande Cuvée really wears the year’s signature with its radiant and racy fruit profile and amplified, saline length. The fine base year is supported by 40% of reserve wines from 10 different vintages all the way down to 2000. The expressive, stylishly oak lined nose comes with delicious fresh fruity profile. Complex and overt already upon launch. The palate is tighter with real vibrancy to it. Pure fruitiness and firm structure of tension, this edition is a keeper. (May 2021)"
96 points 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 2020. Drink now through 2030. (8/11/21)"
96 points La Revue du Vin de France (2022).
97 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Based largely on the 2013 vintage, the NV Grand Cuvée 169eme Edition is another brilliant example of this Champagne that does everything right. Still young and tight, it reveals a vibrant bouquet of stone fruits, toasted bread, chalky minerality, and subtle nutty nuances. Quite fat and concentrated on the palate, this full-bodied beauty has a fine, silky mousse, wonderful balance, and a great, focused, chiseled finish. It's going to benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and drink brilliantly for 20+ years or more. This is gorgeous and certainly in the same league as the 168eme Edition. Drink: 2023-2043. (11/8/21)"
97 points James Suckling: "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. (6/2/21)"
96+ points William Kelley (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. Drink: 2021-2050. (Sep 2021)"
96-97 points Essi Avellan, MW: "Based on the 2013 vintage, Grande Cuvée really wears the year’s signature with its radiant and racy fruit profile and amplified, saline length. The fine base year is supported by 40% of reserve wines from 10 different vintages all the way down to 2000. The expressive, stylishly oak lined nose comes with delicious fresh fruity profile. Complex and overt already upon launch. The palate is tighter with real vibrancy to it. Pure fruitiness and firm structure of tension, this edition is a keeper. (May 2021)"
96 points 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 2020. Drink now through 2030. (8/11/21)"
96 points La Revue du Vin de France (2022).
| Product SKU | 703425 |
| Producer | Krug |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| SubRegion | Montagne de Reims |
| Varietal | Champagne / Sparkling Blend |
| Designation | Brut |
| Vintage | NV |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 12.5% |
| Ships To |
