Champagne Krug Grande Cuvee Brut Edition 173 in Giftbox
De specificaties zoals vermeld bij de wijn (o.a. wijnjaar) en in de titel zijn leidend en er kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend aan de afbeelding die wordt getoond. Lees meer in onze Frequenty asked questions
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Grape | , |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (12.5%) |
| Drink window | 2025 - 2045 |
| Available as of | Aug 12, 2025 |
Description
Behind every precious drop of Krug lies the dream of a visionary. A man who, long before anyone else, understood that the essence of Champagne is pleasure. More than 170 years ago, Joseph Krug broke with existing conventions and pursued his own vision. He wanted to create the most refined, consistent Champagne. Year after year, regardless of climatic unpredictability. This daring experiment proved to be a triumph of his own, and he succeeded in creating Champagne like never before. Like never before. To this day, the House of Krug lives and breathes its enduring philosophy: creating only prestige Champagnes since 1843. It is the only house that has produced exclusively Ultra-Premium Champagnes every year since 1843. An ideal gift. Making celebrations and special occasions even more special. It takes more than twenty years to create Krug Grand Cuvée, a blend of over 120 wines from at least ten different vintages. The richest Champagne in the world with exceptional finesse.
What makes Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 so special?
The Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition, made from the 2017 vintage, is an exceptionally rich champagne. The palate is almost opulent, with tropical notes that perfectly reflect the vintage's personality. This is no ordinary champagne; it is an expression of pure luxury. The tropical flavors of passion fruit and lemon confit emerge powerfully, complemented by hints of baked apple pie and spices. The Krug Champagne House, led by Eric Lebel and Julie Cavil, has truly created a masterpiece here.
Review of the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173
The Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 received an excellent 95-point rating from Antonio Galloni in April 2025. This is a champagne that not only makes an immediate impression but will also retain its charm over the years. Drinking this champagne is an experience in itself. The rich flavors develop over time, making this edition an impressive choice for a special occasion or if you simply want something to treasure for years to come.
When do you drink this champagne?
The drinking window for the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 is between 2025 and 2045. This gives you ample opportunity to enjoy the champagne at its peak, but you can also choose to keep it for a few more years for an even more complex experience. It's a champagne that only improves with age.
Want to order Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 online?
At Grandcruwijnen, you can easily order the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 online. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, ensuring it's always kept at the perfect temperature. We also offer a discount for pickup, which you'll see immediately when you select "Pickup" during checkout. Order now and enjoy this exceptional champagne whenever you want!
FACT:
The Grande Cuvée doesn't have a fixed recipe and can vary from year to year. This also makes it no ordinary non-vintage champagne. In its quest for greater transparency, Krug has developed its own app, and they provide more information about their champagne than most other houses. By scanning the Krug ID on the back of your Krug Grande Cuvée champagne with your smartphone (or entering it manually on the house's website), you'll find all sorts of facts about the champagne you're holding. For example, you'll find the disgorgement date and the blend size.
Specifications
| Available as of | Aug 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Giftbox |
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Appellation | Champagne |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Krug |
| Grape | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 12.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | Yes |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fris, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Cadeau!, Iets te vieren, Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Romantisch |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Kristaps Karklins
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2025 - 2038
Krug’s recently unveiled NV Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition—accounting for approximately 80% of the house’s total production—performs well, particularly considering the challenges of the base vintage, 2017. That year saw considerable rot pressure in red varieties, making meticulous sorting essential; some lots deemed unfit for Krug’s standards were even diverted to distillation. The conceptual cornerstone of the Grande Cuvée is the use of the house’s vast library—drawing from some 500 options—to complement the base vintage and moderate the extremes of any given growing season. The 173ème Édition comprises 150 wines across 13 vintages, with the 2017 base making up 69% of the final assemblage. Disgorged in January 2024 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter, it opens with aromas of pear, golden apple, lemon curd and early white blossoms interlaced with a distant hint of nutmeg. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, textural and charming, laden with tangy acidity and animated by a pillowy mousse, and it concludes with a long, saline finish. Compared with its immediate predecessor, the 173ème Édition is broader and more giving, while the 172ème Édition tauter and more incisive. As experienced Krug aficionados will recognize, the inclusion of reserve wines—which may have undergone malolactic fermentation—renders the Grande Cuvée more immediately approachable than the house’s vintage-dated Champagnes, offering a more generous drinking experience on release.
Having relocated most of their vinification—save for Clos du Mesnil—to the new site in the village of Ambonnay, it was with great interest that I arranged a visit with Julie Cavil and Olivier Krug at Krug’s new winery. Cavil joined Krug’s winemaking team in 2006 and succeeded Eric Lebel as Krug’s chef de caves in 2020. As one might expect, transitions within a house of Krug’s stature are evolutionary rather than abrupt. Although the formal handover appeared sudden, it was preceded by years of preparation. The 2025 harvest will mark Cavil’s sixth vintage at the helm and the second produced entirely at the new site.
Coincidentally, Cavil’s arrival coincides with a somewhat challenging period for Krug—at least in terms of its contemporary reputation—as it is marked by the release of two vintages, 2008 and 2011. Comparatively lean and understated, both were received with less enthusiasm than what has traditionally been accorded to what is—or was, depending on whom you ask—Champagne’s most revered house. While the 2011 vintage may be considered something of a moot point, given the inherent challenges of the year, the release of the 2008 Brut—arguably less authoritative than 2008 offerings from top-tier grower-bottlers and maisons alike—has prompted some wine lovers and collectors to question whether Krug has lost its way or if this is merely an outlier in an otherwise illustrious track record. The following examination of Krug’s winemaking methods may provide valuable insight.
Today, Krug owns 21 hectares of vineyards, which supply approximately 20% of their total grape requirements. The remainder comes from around 100 growers with whom they maintain long-term partnerships—agreements that focus on individual vineyard plots rather than purely volume-based contracts. Grapes are procured from across the breadth of the appellation. Since 2009, Krug has eschewed herbicides in their own vineyards, opting for treatments such as copper sulfate, copper hydroxide and sulfur that organic farming tends to require against mildew. As of 2024, these estate vineyards have been formally certified organic.
Krug typically harvests on the early side, with picking dates determined collaboratively with their grower-partners, as they do not farm or manage these vineyards. Each year, approximately 250 to 300 wines are vinified parcel by parcel, preserving the distinct identity of each plot—an approach that allows Krug to later deploy these individual profiles in service of their blends. Pressing takes place at some 50 external press houses, typically operated by the suppliers themselves. Unexpectedly, while the new Ambonnay site represents a major investment, it does not actually house a press. However, all subsequent steps—from must reception through bottling—are conducted at the new Joseph facility in Ambonnay.
As seasoned enthusiasts will know, following a brief period in tanks after the must is received, fermentation takes place in oak barrels. Currently, Krug maintains 4,300 barrels, each with a 205-liter capacity, distributed across eight barrel rooms. These barrels have an average age of 17 years. New barrels—sourced from Tonnellerie Taransaud and from Seguin Moreau—are conditioned with water and second-press juice fractions for the first three years before being used for wines destined for the final cuvées.
After approximately three months in oak, the wines are racked—typically between December and February—into an extensive array of small stainless steel tanks, where élevage continues on the fine lees. The time spent in tank varies widely: wines selected for vintage-dated cuvées may spend as little as four months, while reserve wines can mature for up to 16 years, depending on their role in future blends. In the past, though, wines spent longer in barrel, as after fermentation, Krug’s vins clairs were racked and returned to oak until bottling. However, with Eric Lebel’s arrival, the practice shifted—base wines were no longer reintroduced to barrel but instead were moved to stainless steel for maturation.
Sulfur dioxide is used sparingly—mainly during pressing and at disgorgement. Malolactic fermentation is generally avoided in vintage wines but tends to occur in reserve wines. This marks a key distinction: vintage-dated cuvées, unlike the Grande Cuvée and Rosé, typically forgo malolactic fermentation altogether, lending them more pronounced acid profiles and enhancing their lemon-inflected finishes.
Krug has recently unveiled the 173rd Edition of its Grande Cuvée—which typically accounts for about 80% of the house’s total production—alongside the 29th Edition of its Rosé. The conceptual cornerstone of the Grande Cuvée is the use of the house’s vast library—drawing from some 500 options—to complement the base vintage. Following intensive tastings, Grande Cuvée typically incorporates between 150 and 200 individual wines from up to 16 different vintages. The 173rd Edition, for example, comprises 150 wines spanning 13 vintages as far back as 2001, with the base vintage—2017—constituting 69% of the final blend. To moderate the extremes of any given growing season, rich vintages are typically tempered by racier, more acid-driven reserve wines, while leaner years are bolstered by richer reserves. This layered complexity and inclusion of reserve wines that may have undergone malolactic fermentation make Grande Cuvée more approachable upon release—broader and more generous in profile compared to Krug's vintage-dated Champagnes. The 29th Edition of Rosé, meanwhile, blends 29 wines from five distinct harvests, and like the Grande Cuvée, each component is selected by Krug’s tasting committee through blind tastings. Further details on both are provided in the accompanying tasting notes, though one point remains unequivocal: for years, these have been among Champagne’s most age-worthy wines, despite not necessarily being drawn from a single vintage.
Turning to the Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil, the newly released 2009 vintage hails from a sunny year, but when viewed in the context of more recent growing seasons—2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022—2009 no longer seems all that extreme. Harvest began on September 10, with the team conducting five to six separate pickings to capture optimal ripeness plot by plot. These were pressed and vinified individually. The resulting wine, elegantly muscular and chiseled, produced without malolactic fermentation—accounting for some its pronounced acidity—is a considerable success, with the Mesnil asserting itself over the vintage, and I mean that as a compliment.
Among Krug’s most prohibitively expensive bottlings, the Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay—particularly from a vintage like 2008—will undoubtedly attract dedicated followers, so it’s hardly necessary for me to fan the flames. Originating from a low-lying 0.68-hectare parcel that was once a garden rather than a historically renowned vineyard site, its production follows the same principles as other vintage wines: fermentation in seasoned oak barrels, élevage on the lees in stainless steel with topping up, no malolactic fermentation and a dosage of four to five grams per liter at disgorgement.
Perhaps one of the most interesting releases is the 2008 Clos d’Ambonnay Rosé, Krug’s first new cuvée since the 1995 Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay was unveiled. The core of this rosé is the same blanc de noirs, enriched with 15% red wine from the very same vineyard—an addition that dramatically shifts its profile. Ambonnay, as readers will know, has long been revered for its Pinot Noir—including red wines used in crafting rosé Champagnes—and the results achieved by the likes of Egly-Ouriet speak for themselves. While the 2008 Clos d’Ambonnay Rosé will likely carry a formidable price—particularly as it is being released as a duo with the 2008 Blanc de Noirs this fall—it is, to my palate, already demonstrating slightly more complexity of flavor and textural nuance and promises to be a fascinating comparison to its Blanc de Noirs sibling in the years to come.
Published: Jul 10, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
97
Krug Champagne Grande Cuvée 173ème Edition
Sunday, Jul 13, 2025
Color
Sparkling
Country
France
Region
Champagne
Vintage
non-vintage
Download Shelftalker
Extremely complex, showing dried apples, light caramel, brioche and flint with cedar, nuts and hints of gunmetal. Integrated, caressing bubbles. Medium-bodied with a laser-guided, compacted and extremely long palate that focuses the character and the flavors. So deep and polished. Tangy at the end. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
95
Drinking Window
2025 - 2045
From: 2025 Champagne: New Releases (Apr 2025)
Based on 2017, Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition is superb. It is an especially rich, almost opulent Grande Cuvée that very much reflects the personality of the base year in its tropical flavor profile. Lemon confit, baked apple tart, passion fruit, tangerine oil and spice are all beautifully amplified. The Krug team, led at the time by Chef de Caves Eric Lebel and current Chef de Caves Julie Cavil, did an exceptional job here. Krug ID: 124003.
- By Antonio Galloni on April 2025
These six Champagnes comprise one of the most thrilling visits I have ever had at Krug. I say that having been critical of some past wines here. The 2002 Vintage was underwhelming, while the 2011 Vintage was solid but not more. This year’s releases are simply off the charts. Krug fans will note the addition of a new wine, the Clos d’Ambonnay Rosé, and a library release of the 1985 Clos de Mesnil. Unfortunately, these wines are sure to come with hefty price tags. The Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition offers plenty of Krug character at a price that is more accessible.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
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Wijnhuis
Krug is a floating and prestigious champagne based in the Champagne region of France. The "House of Krug", often simply referred to as Krug, is renowned for producing some of the world's finest and most luxurious Champagnes.
History of Krug
Krug was founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, a visionary German immigrant who sought to create the most widely distributed champagne possible. He strongly believed in the producer of Champagne of consistent quality, proven by the weather conditions from year to year. The Krug family carried on the legacy and passed on their expertise from generation to generation. Krug has been in the family for years. It was managed by members of the Krug family until the 1960s and today it is part of the LVMH group but remains active with an emphasis on tradition and quality. They adhere to a philosophy of creating Champagnes that are based on the character of each specific vintage and that express the terroir of the vineyards. They are also known for their blending expertise, often incorporating a range of reserve wines into their cuvées to maintain a consistent house style.
Champagnes from Krug
Krug shows a great range of Champagnes, the most famous of which is their "Krug Grande Cuvée". Considered their flagship Champagne, this non-vintage blend is made with a blend of over 120 different wines from multiple vintages. Krug also has vintage Champagnes, including their famous "Krug Vintage". In addition to their famous cuvées, Krug also produces numerous single-vineyard Champagnes. "Krug Clos du Mesnil" and "Krug Clos d'Ambonnay" are made from grapes sourced from specific walled vineyards and are very popular among collectors and connoisseurs. Krug champagnes are known for their aging potential. This producer recommends aging their Champagnes so that the complex flavors and aromas can fully develop. Some connoisseurs enjoy Krug Champagnes after decades of cellaring.
Trivia
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Behind every precious drop of Krug lies the dream of a visionary. A man who, long before anyone else, understood that the essence of Champagne is pleasure. More than 170 years ago, Joseph Krug broke with existing conventions and pursued his own vision. He wanted to create the most refined, consistent Champagne. Year after year, regardless of climatic unpredictability. This daring experiment proved to be a triumph of his own, and he succeeded in creating Champagne like never before. Like never before. To this day, the House of Krug lives and breathes its enduring philosophy: creating only prestige Champagnes since 1843. It is the only house that has produced exclusively Ultra-Premium Champagnes every year since 1843. An ideal gift. Making celebrations and special occasions even more special. It takes more than twenty years to create Krug Grand Cuvée, a blend of over 120 wines from at least ten different vintages. The richest Champagne in the world with exceptional finesse.
What makes Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 so special?
The Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition, made from the 2017 vintage, is an exceptionally rich champagne. The palate is almost opulent, with tropical notes that perfectly reflect the vintage's personality. This is no ordinary champagne; it is an expression of pure luxury. The tropical flavors of passion fruit and lemon confit emerge powerfully, complemented by hints of baked apple pie and spices. The Krug Champagne House, led by Eric Lebel and Julie Cavil, has truly created a masterpiece here.
Review of the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173
The Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 received an excellent 95-point rating from Antonio Galloni in April 2025. This is a champagne that not only makes an immediate impression but will also retain its charm over the years. Drinking this champagne is an experience in itself. The rich flavors develop over time, making this edition an impressive choice for a special occasion or if you simply want something to treasure for years to come.
When do you drink this champagne?
The drinking window for the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 is between 2025 and 2045. This gives you ample opportunity to enjoy the champagne at its peak, but you can also choose to keep it for a few more years for an even more complex experience. It's a champagne that only improves with age.
Want to order Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 online?
At Grandcruwijnen, you can easily order the Krug Grande Cuvée Brut Edition 173 online. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, ensuring it's always kept at the perfect temperature. We also offer a discount for pickup, which you'll see immediately when you select "Pickup" during checkout. Order now and enjoy this exceptional champagne whenever you want!
FACT:
The Grande Cuvée doesn't have a fixed recipe and can vary from year to year. This also makes it no ordinary non-vintage champagne. In its quest for greater transparency, Krug has developed its own app, and they provide more information about their champagne than most other houses. By scanning the Krug ID on the back of your Krug Grande Cuvée champagne with your smartphone (or entering it manually on the house's website), you'll find all sorts of facts about the champagne you're holding. For example, you'll find the disgorgement date and the blend size.
| Available as of | Aug 12, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Packing information | Giftbox |
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Appellation | Champagne |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Krug |
| Grape | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Drinking as of | 2025 |
| Drinking till | 2045 |
| Alcohol % | 12.5 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | Yes |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 94 |
| James Suckling rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 95 |
| Tasting Profiles | Droog, Fris, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Cadeau!, Iets te vieren, Indruk maken, Lekker luxe, Romantisch |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 94
Reviewed by:
Kristaps Karklins
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2025 - 2038
Krug’s recently unveiled NV Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition—accounting for approximately 80% of the house’s total production—performs well, particularly considering the challenges of the base vintage, 2017. That year saw considerable rot pressure in red varieties, making meticulous sorting essential; some lots deemed unfit for Krug’s standards were even diverted to distillation. The conceptual cornerstone of the Grande Cuvée is the use of the house’s vast library—drawing from some 500 options—to complement the base vintage and moderate the extremes of any given growing season. The 173ème Édition comprises 150 wines across 13 vintages, with the 2017 base making up 69% of the final assemblage. Disgorged in January 2024 with a dosage of 4.5 grams per liter, it opens with aromas of pear, golden apple, lemon curd and early white blossoms interlaced with a distant hint of nutmeg. On the palate, it is medium- to full-bodied, textural and charming, laden with tangy acidity and animated by a pillowy mousse, and it concludes with a long, saline finish. Compared with its immediate predecessor, the 173ème Édition is broader and more giving, while the 172ème Édition tauter and more incisive. As experienced Krug aficionados will recognize, the inclusion of reserve wines—which may have undergone malolactic fermentation—renders the Grande Cuvée more immediately approachable than the house’s vintage-dated Champagnes, offering a more generous drinking experience on release.
Having relocated most of their vinification—save for Clos du Mesnil—to the new site in the village of Ambonnay, it was with great interest that I arranged a visit with Julie Cavil and Olivier Krug at Krug’s new winery. Cavil joined Krug’s winemaking team in 2006 and succeeded Eric Lebel as Krug’s chef de caves in 2020. As one might expect, transitions within a house of Krug’s stature are evolutionary rather than abrupt. Although the formal handover appeared sudden, it was preceded by years of preparation. The 2025 harvest will mark Cavil’s sixth vintage at the helm and the second produced entirely at the new site.
Coincidentally, Cavil’s arrival coincides with a somewhat challenging period for Krug—at least in terms of its contemporary reputation—as it is marked by the release of two vintages, 2008 and 2011. Comparatively lean and understated, both were received with less enthusiasm than what has traditionally been accorded to what is—or was, depending on whom you ask—Champagne’s most revered house. While the 2011 vintage may be considered something of a moot point, given the inherent challenges of the year, the release of the 2008 Brut—arguably less authoritative than 2008 offerings from top-tier grower-bottlers and maisons alike—has prompted some wine lovers and collectors to question whether Krug has lost its way or if this is merely an outlier in an otherwise illustrious track record. The following examination of Krug’s winemaking methods may provide valuable insight.
Today, Krug owns 21 hectares of vineyards, which supply approximately 20% of their total grape requirements. The remainder comes from around 100 growers with whom they maintain long-term partnerships—agreements that focus on individual vineyard plots rather than purely volume-based contracts. Grapes are procured from across the breadth of the appellation. Since 2009, Krug has eschewed herbicides in their own vineyards, opting for treatments such as copper sulfate, copper hydroxide and sulfur that organic farming tends to require against mildew. As of 2024, these estate vineyards have been formally certified organic.
Krug typically harvests on the early side, with picking dates determined collaboratively with their grower-partners, as they do not farm or manage these vineyards. Each year, approximately 250 to 300 wines are vinified parcel by parcel, preserving the distinct identity of each plot—an approach that allows Krug to later deploy these individual profiles in service of their blends. Pressing takes place at some 50 external press houses, typically operated by the suppliers themselves. Unexpectedly, while the new Ambonnay site represents a major investment, it does not actually house a press. However, all subsequent steps—from must reception through bottling—are conducted at the new Joseph facility in Ambonnay.
As seasoned enthusiasts will know, following a brief period in tanks after the must is received, fermentation takes place in oak barrels. Currently, Krug maintains 4,300 barrels, each with a 205-liter capacity, distributed across eight barrel rooms. These barrels have an average age of 17 years. New barrels—sourced from Tonnellerie Taransaud and from Seguin Moreau—are conditioned with water and second-press juice fractions for the first three years before being used for wines destined for the final cuvées.
After approximately three months in oak, the wines are racked—typically between December and February—into an extensive array of small stainless steel tanks, where élevage continues on the fine lees. The time spent in tank varies widely: wines selected for vintage-dated cuvées may spend as little as four months, while reserve wines can mature for up to 16 years, depending on their role in future blends. In the past, though, wines spent longer in barrel, as after fermentation, Krug’s vins clairs were racked and returned to oak until bottling. However, with Eric Lebel’s arrival, the practice shifted—base wines were no longer reintroduced to barrel but instead were moved to stainless steel for maturation.
Sulfur dioxide is used sparingly—mainly during pressing and at disgorgement. Malolactic fermentation is generally avoided in vintage wines but tends to occur in reserve wines. This marks a key distinction: vintage-dated cuvées, unlike the Grande Cuvée and Rosé, typically forgo malolactic fermentation altogether, lending them more pronounced acid profiles and enhancing their lemon-inflected finishes.
Krug has recently unveiled the 173rd Edition of its Grande Cuvée—which typically accounts for about 80% of the house’s total production—alongside the 29th Edition of its Rosé. The conceptual cornerstone of the Grande Cuvée is the use of the house’s vast library—drawing from some 500 options—to complement the base vintage. Following intensive tastings, Grande Cuvée typically incorporates between 150 and 200 individual wines from up to 16 different vintages. The 173rd Edition, for example, comprises 150 wines spanning 13 vintages as far back as 2001, with the base vintage—2017—constituting 69% of the final blend. To moderate the extremes of any given growing season, rich vintages are typically tempered by racier, more acid-driven reserve wines, while leaner years are bolstered by richer reserves. This layered complexity and inclusion of reserve wines that may have undergone malolactic fermentation make Grande Cuvée more approachable upon release—broader and more generous in profile compared to Krug's vintage-dated Champagnes. The 29th Edition of Rosé, meanwhile, blends 29 wines from five distinct harvests, and like the Grande Cuvée, each component is selected by Krug’s tasting committee through blind tastings. Further details on both are provided in the accompanying tasting notes, though one point remains unequivocal: for years, these have been among Champagne’s most age-worthy wines, despite not necessarily being drawn from a single vintage.
Turning to the Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil, the newly released 2009 vintage hails from a sunny year, but when viewed in the context of more recent growing seasons—2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022—2009 no longer seems all that extreme. Harvest began on September 10, with the team conducting five to six separate pickings to capture optimal ripeness plot by plot. These were pressed and vinified individually. The resulting wine, elegantly muscular and chiseled, produced without malolactic fermentation—accounting for some its pronounced acidity—is a considerable success, with the Mesnil asserting itself over the vintage, and I mean that as a compliment.
Among Krug’s most prohibitively expensive bottlings, the Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay—particularly from a vintage like 2008—will undoubtedly attract dedicated followers, so it’s hardly necessary for me to fan the flames. Originating from a low-lying 0.68-hectare parcel that was once a garden rather than a historically renowned vineyard site, its production follows the same principles as other vintage wines: fermentation in seasoned oak barrels, élevage on the lees in stainless steel with topping up, no malolactic fermentation and a dosage of four to five grams per liter at disgorgement.
Perhaps one of the most interesting releases is the 2008 Clos d’Ambonnay Rosé, Krug’s first new cuvée since the 1995 Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay was unveiled. The core of this rosé is the same blanc de noirs, enriched with 15% red wine from the very same vineyard—an addition that dramatically shifts its profile. Ambonnay, as readers will know, has long been revered for its Pinot Noir—including red wines used in crafting rosé Champagnes—and the results achieved by the likes of Egly-Ouriet speak for themselves. While the 2008 Clos d’Ambonnay Rosé will likely carry a formidable price—particularly as it is being released as a duo with the 2008 Blanc de Noirs this fall—it is, to my palate, already demonstrating slightly more complexity of flavor and textural nuance and promises to be a fascinating comparison to its Blanc de Noirs sibling in the years to come.
Published: Jul 10, 2025
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
James Suckling
Score
97
Krug Champagne Grande Cuvée 173ème Edition
Sunday, Jul 13, 2025
Color
Sparkling
Country
France
Region
Champagne
Vintage
non-vintage
Download Shelftalker
Extremely complex, showing dried apples, light caramel, brioche and flint with cedar, nuts and hints of gunmetal. Integrated, caressing bubbles. Medium-bodied with a laser-guided, compacted and extremely long palate that focuses the character and the flavors. So deep and polished. Tangy at the end. Drink or hold.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
95
Drinking Window
2025 - 2045
From: 2025 Champagne: New Releases (Apr 2025)
Based on 2017, Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition is superb. It is an especially rich, almost opulent Grande Cuvée that very much reflects the personality of the base year in its tropical flavor profile. Lemon confit, baked apple tart, passion fruit, tangerine oil and spice are all beautifully amplified. The Krug team, led at the time by Chef de Caves Eric Lebel and current Chef de Caves Julie Cavil, did an exceptional job here. Krug ID: 124003.
- By Antonio Galloni on April 2025
These six Champagnes comprise one of the most thrilling visits I have ever had at Krug. I say that having been critical of some past wines here. The 2002 Vintage was underwhelming, while the 2011 Vintage was solid but not more. This year’s releases are simply off the charts. Krug fans will note the addition of a new wine, the Clos d’Ambonnay Rosé, and a library release of the 1985 Clos de Mesnil. Unfortunately, these wines are sure to come with hefty price tags. The Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition offers plenty of Krug character at a price that is more accessible.
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Krug is a floating and prestigious champagne based in the Champagne region of France. The "House of Krug", often simply referred to as Krug, is renowned for producing some of the world's finest and most luxurious Champagnes.
History of Krug
Krug was founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, a visionary German immigrant who sought to create the most widely distributed champagne possible. He strongly believed in the producer of Champagne of consistent quality, proven by the weather conditions from year to year. The Krug family carried on the legacy and passed on their expertise from generation to generation. Krug has been in the family for years. It was managed by members of the Krug family until the 1960s and today it is part of the LVMH group but remains active with an emphasis on tradition and quality. They adhere to a philosophy of creating Champagnes that are based on the character of each specific vintage and that express the terroir of the vineyards. They are also known for their blending expertise, often incorporating a range of reserve wines into their cuvées to maintain a consistent house style.
Champagnes from Krug
Krug shows a great range of Champagnes, the most famous of which is their "Krug Grande Cuvée". Considered their flagship Champagne, this non-vintage blend is made with a blend of over 120 different wines from multiple vintages. Krug also has vintage Champagnes, including their famous "Krug Vintage". In addition to their famous cuvées, Krug also produces numerous single-vineyard Champagnes. "Krug Clos du Mesnil" and "Krug Clos d'Ambonnay" are made from grapes sourced from specific walled vineyards and are very popular among collectors and connoisseurs. Krug champagnes are known for their aging potential. This producer recommends aging their Champagnes so that the complex flavors and aromas can fully develop. Some connoisseurs enjoy Krug Champagnes after decades of cellaring.
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