NV Krug Grande Cuvée 173 Edition, Champagne, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Composed around the harvest of 2017, Krug Grande Cuvée 173^ème Édition is a blend of 150 wines from 13 different years. The youngest is from the year 2017 and the oldest dates back to 2001. In all, reserve wines from the Maison’s extensive library make up 31% 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, 34% Chardonnay and 22% Meunier.

Over 20 years of careful craftsmanship were necessary for the creation of the Krug Grande Cuvée 173^ème Édition.

2017 was a year that started cold, until early clement weather awakened the wines prematurely. The region suffered 20% fruit loss from spring frosts and heavy summer downpours. Dry and hot weather saved the remaining grapes for harvest, which took place from 25 August to 15 September.

The heterogeneity of the plots in 2017 was reflected in the tasting room with very nice expressions but sometimes also a certain inconsistency and rusticity. The selection of reserve wines brings elegance with 2014 and 2011 Chardonnays, or racy 2000s Pinot Noirs. It also offers structure with Montagne de Reims Nord and very straight 2016 Meunier.

This bottle spent around 7 years in Krug's cellars developing its generosity and elegance, receiving its cork in Spring 2024.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

The House was established in Reims in 1843, by Joseph Krug, a visionary non-conformist with an uncompromising philosophy. Having understood that the true essence of Champagne is pleasure itself, his dream was to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Paying close attention to the vineyard’s character, respecting the individuality of each plot and its wine, as well as building an extensive library of reserve wines from many different years allowed Joseph Krug to fulfill his dream.

With a very original approach to Champagne making, he decided to go beyond the notion of vintage to create the most generous expression of Champagne, every year. Thus, he founded a House in which all Champagnes are of the same level of distinction.

Six generations of the Krug family have perpetuated this dream, enriching the founder’s vision and savoir-faire.