The NV Krug Grande Cuvée 172th Edition Brut is a sophisticated Champagne blend, crafted by the esteemed producer Krug in the heart of France's Champagne region. This particular edition is a blend of 44% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay, and 20% Meunier, with 58% of the wine stemming from the 2016 vintage. It also includes reserve wines dating back to 1998, showcasing a complexity built over 11 different years.
Wine Enthusiast offers an excellent review, scoring it 98 points and describing it as a "beautifully balanced wine" with "a touch of toast" and "enticing apple and citrus aromas." The wine is noted for its rich and intense character, ready to drink now.
Decanter, awarding 97 points, highlights its "delicate, floral and saline" profile, complimenting its "exceptionally long, spicy, rounded and spherical" finish. The review emphasizes the wine's elegance and balance, recommending it for enjoyment between 2024 and 2045.
James Suckling also gives a score of 97, appreciating its "polished and caressing texture" with notes of "dried citrus fruit, lemon curd, and dried apples." He describes it as fresh yet austere, with a structured and long finish.
Wine Spectator praises its "classy" nature with a score of 96, noting its "fluid poise and grace" and a "vivid frame of acidity." The wine features a range of aromas and flavors, including "chopped cherry, dried apricot, tangerine peel, and plum cake."
Vinous and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate both rate it at 95 points. Vinous calls it "gracious" and "sublime" with "light citrus notes, white flowers, spice, marzipan, and chamomile." Meanwhile, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate describes it as "outstanding," with a "fleshy core of fruit" and a "perfectly balanced, fresh and mineral finish."
Overall, the NV Krug Grande Cuvée 172th Edition Brut is a well-crafted and highly regarded Champagne, celebrated for its complexity, balance, and long-lasting finish.