Krug Grande Cuvee Edition 169 N.V.

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 2021 - 2050

Still vibrant and focused, with plenty of dried apple, apricot, dried lemon, lime zest, pie crust, toast and flint. Powerful and structured. Tightly wound and deep. 43% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay and 22% pinot meunier, from 2013 to older vintages. 40% reserve wine. Needs time to come together completely. Drink or hold.

Deep copper gold. Tiny, tiny bead. Much more obvious acidity, age and (lightly oaky?) savour on the nose than Cristal 2013. Aérien with blossomy notes with a little mandarin. Very marked acidity on the palate. A real wake-up call! Sleek and fresh and truly spring-like with a light yeasty note on the very long finish. The most pleasure to be had initially is in the nose and the finish. The palate is still a bit of shock. This should have a long life. Bone-dry finish and playing the intellectual card. Throbs on the palate with all its vibrancy. Long. Tighter than the 168ème Édition. Structure dominates fruit.

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.