The NV Krug Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition Brut is a notable offering from the esteemed Krug Champagne house. This edition is a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, and 18% Pinot Meunier, crafted from a selection of 131 wines spanning 12 vintages, with the base wine from 2015 and reserve wines dating back to 2000. Disgorged in the winter of 2021-2022, this non-vintage champagne has garnered high praise from several esteemed reviewers.
John Gilman of "View From The Cellar" awarded it an impressive 96+ points, describing it as "supremely elegant on both the nose and palate," with a bouquet that includes "apple, pear, fresh apricot, brioche, and almond." He emphasized its "superb depth of fruit" and "very refined mousse," suggesting it will age beautifully over the next five to ten years.
James Suckling gave the wine a near-perfect score of 99, noting its "tightness and tension," and praising its "ginger and orange zest" aromas, alongside a "medium-bodied" palate featuring "apple, pie crust, and floral character." He concluded that it "turns rich and flavorful at the finish" and is a "terrific release."
Wine Spectator's review, which scored the wine 96 points, highlighted its "vivid" character with "chiseled acidity" and a "fine, vivacious mousse." The layered flavors include "crushed black raspberry, grilled nuts, pink grapefruit sorbet, and coffee liqueur," with a finish "crackling with a lingering fleur de sel note."
Wine Enthusiast, with a 97-point score, called it "deliciously balanced" and "impressive," noting its fine textured fruit and suggesting that it is "worth aging for another year."
The Wine Independent and Jeb Dunnuck both awarded it 94 points. The Wine Independent praised its "aromatically complex nose" and "beautifully energetic acid frame," while Jeb Dunnuck described it as "lush with a kaleidoscope of aromas" and "highly attractive, balanced, and long."
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave it 94 points, noting its "captivating aroma of dried fruits, pastry, lemon oil, marzipan," and its "precise and well-structured" nature with a "sapid, incisive finish."
Vinous, with a score of 95, described the wine as "creamy, layered, and resonant," favoring "tension over volume" with notes of "lemon peel, white flowers, white pepper," and an "exotic flair."
Overall, the NV Krug Grande Cuvée 171ème Édition Brut is highly acclaimed for its complex bouquet, balanced acidity, and long aging potential, making it a celebrated choice for connoisseurs and collectors alike.