Krug Grande Cuvée 167ème: Better than the 'Vintage'?

In spring we offered you the latest release from Krug, the Grande Cuvée 167ème.  Jancis Robinson has just published her notes from a tasting at the house in July and dedicated Krugistes amongst you will wish to know her thoughts, along with the latest notes and scores from other key critics.

The 167ème is based on the 2011 vintage, with a slightly higher proportion of Pinot Noir in the blend than in other years.  Tasting in April, William Kelley of The Wine Advocate found promising ageing ability and a 'full-bodied and muscular' style (95 pts).  Antonio Galloni found it "tightly wound and not at all expressive" but appreciates the 'airy, weightless' character (95 pts). 

By contrast, the most recent note from Jancis Robinson remarks on its richness and complexity, suggesting the wine is already benefiting from additional time post-bottling (18.5 pts).  Her score also rates it more highly than the soon-to-be-released 2006 vintage (18 pts), though that may well change with further bottle age. As one of the 'grandes dames' of champagne and a long time aficionado of Krug, we think her opinion worth following.

If you would like a case of this remarkable Champagne please do let us know as soon as possible. Stocks offered subject to remaining unsold.  Available September 2019.

NV Krug Grande Cuvée '167 Edition'

"Definitely richer than many Grandes Cuvées. Very appealing and approachable. Those many elements are already admirably well integrated. Hugely complex but still quite substantially chewy on the end. Very long. 18.5 points." Jancis Robinson, July 2019

“Krug’s NV Grande Cuvée 167ème Edition is positively brilliant. Chef de Caves Eric Lebel and his team have always put tremendous emphasis on the craft of blending. Never has that discipline been more critical than here, with the 167, which is based on 2011, one of the most challenging harvests in Champagne in many years. Brisk and racy in the glass, the 167 is laced with a range of lemon peel, baked apple, brioche and floral notes. Readers should plan on giving the 167 at least a few years in bottle, as it is presently tightly wound and not at all expressive. The flavors are beautifully articulated. In many releases, the Grande Cuvée is richer and more overt. The 167, on the other hand, is airy, weightless and sublime. Most importantly, it is an unqualified success. This release is based on 2011, with reserve wines back to 1995. 94 points.”  Antonio Galloni, Vinous July 2019

"Making its debut this year is Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 167ème Édition, a beautiful wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of yellow orchard fruit, peach and waxy citrus rind, complemented by complex notes of freshly baked bread, walnuts and smoke. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and muscular but incisive, with a deep and concentrated core, a pinpoint mousse and a long, complex finish. Built around the 2011 vintage, the wine includes reserve wines dating back to 1995 and was disgorged in the winter of 2017-2018. Readers are advised to give it at least a couple years of bottle age before popping corks.  95 points."  William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, April 2019

“This mouthwatering Champagne is intense, from the floral- and spice-laced nose to the racy frame of acidity to the expansive flavors of grilled nut, mandarin orange peel, black currant and coffee. Stands out for finesse rather than power, with an enticing finish that brings you back for another sip. 95 points.”  Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator August 2019

£675 per six bottles in bond (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)