Champagne AOC Brut Grand Cru ''Grande Cuvee 168th Edition' (Magnum 1.5 L deluxe box) Krug

THE WINE

Every year, since its foundation, the Maison Krug creates a new edition of Krug Grande Cuvée to offer the most generous expression of Champagne. The 168th Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée is a blend of 195 wines selected from 12 different years. The youngest dates back to 2014, while the oldest is from 1998. The aging of about seven years in the Krug cellars gives this Edition remarkable expression and elegance. Each glass is the result of over 20 years of artisanal excellence. To create this Edition of Krug Grande Cuvée, the Chef de Caves sought to enhance the varied and elegant aromatic expressions of the year with reserve wines from different plots and 11 different vintages.

In this blend, the dynamic Pinot Noir from 2014 comes from a wide range of plots throughout the Champagne region, while the fruity and full-bodied Chardonnay has been selected from terroirs in Montagne de Reims, Sézannais, and Côte des Blancs. The Meunier from the left bank of the Vallée de la Marne were particularly bright, with a magnificent expression of fruit from plots in Leuvrigny. To complement these wines of the year, I selected reserve Pinot Noir from renowned terroirs in the southern Montagne de Reims known for their structure, including an Ambonnay from 2005. The reserve Chardonnay from the wines of Avize and Mesnil-sur-Oger from a wide range of vintages are particularly present in this blend, while the reserve Meunier wines, especially from 2013, add freshness, intensity, and a chiselled structure.

THE MAISON

It all began in 1834, when the young Joseph Krug, a visionary nonconformist, just arrived in France from his native Germany, started working in the cellars of Jacquesson. An experience that in just a few years would give him a precise idea of Champagne, and that would lead him shortly after, in 1843 to be exact, to found his own Maison, with the aim of producing Champagne that would stand out not only for the absolute quality but also for a well-defined, always recognizable personality.

This is the story of a man as determined as few others, driven by a philosophy that did not allow for compromises, and who was the first to understand that the essence of Champagne is, above all, pleasure in itself. A person, Joseph Krug, who wanted to offer his customers the utmost pleasure, every year, regardless of the climatic differences that each season and harvest brought with them. The Krug style was immediately expressed through careful aging in large oak casks and thanks to prolonged contact with the yeasts. A style that has been passed down from father to son for centuries and that remains wonderfully unchanged today.

Since 1999, the Maison has been part of the luxury group LVMH, but the approach remains the same as in the beginning, unconventional, and aimed at enhancing the individuality of each single vineyard, in prestige cuvées that renew year after year, in the name of continuity.

And so, in addition to Krug Rosé and the Vintage wines, here is the Krug Brut “Grande Cuvée”, to mention what is the icon of the Maison, a Champagne that comes from 250 different vineyards, and that groups together 150 reserve wines, some of which are aged for up to 15 years. A meticulous savoir-faire that leads to the creation of unique wines, irreplaceable Champagnes, extraordinary cuvées.