Krug 173rd Edition Brut

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• Origin: Champagne, France
• Appellation: Champagne AOC
• Grape varietals: 44% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Meunier
• Alcohol percentage: 12.5%
• Style: Complex and refined
• Ageing potential: Now until 2045+
• Rating: 94/100 Wine Advocate – 95/100 Vinous

Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition is a monumental multi-vintage Champagne built around the 2017 harvest, with added depth from reserve wines from multiple years. The nose reveals citrus oil, ripe pear and yellow apple, followed by brioche, almond, subtle spices and a distinct, chalky minerality. On the palate, the wine is broad and silky, with a very fine mousse, a compact core of fruit and a striking saline-mineral tension that carries the length. The finish is long, layered and serene, with lingering nuttiness, citrus zest and chalky precision.

Vinification.
This Édition is a blend of 150 wines from 13 different years (youngest 2017, oldest 2001), with a substantial proportion of reserve wines to provide complexity and depth. The base wines are vinified plot by plot, with a portion traditionally aged in small oak barrels to build texture and structure without losing freshness. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle according to the traditional method. This is followed by a long ageing on the lees (more than 6 years), which refines the mousse and allows the typical Krug layers of brioche, nuttiness and spicy complexity to fully develop.

The domain.
Maison Krug (established in 1843) is among the absolute top Champagne houses and is known for a unique, uncompromising approach: maximum selection, an enormous library of reserve wines, and a style that is always “vinous” and gastronomic, with more emphasis on structure and complexity than on pure fruit. The house style is built on precision and patience: slow ageing, minimal concessions, and a constant focus on harmony and length.

Since 2024, their own vineyards (approximately 20% of production) have been organically certified, and they support their partners in achieving this certification by 2030.