Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Dark ruby color. Deep aromas of dried cherries, prunes, orange zest, tobacco and leather. The bold palate features dried dark cherries, ripe plum, black currant, coffee, mint, baking spices and vanilla. Long and velvety finish. Very concentrated and bold yet the tannins and texture are quite soft. Fresh acidity and wonderful balance. Full bodied and lush. Excellent! Thanks for the bottle, Kase! — 13 days ago

Eric Urbani

8.9

I consistently like this wine, though others have not rated it that well. — 24 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

HBTM! 🥳 🎉🎂 🎈

Lighter on its feet than the 166eme. Fresher & a bit creamier.

Nice but could use some additional cellaring. Less complexity than the 166eme.

Cream right up top. The fruits are more subtle than the 166eme. Lemon, lime, pineapple, tropical melon, kiwi, white peach, touch of grapefruit & green apple. Very soft, chalkiness & limestone marl, perfect sea fossils & saline, just a touch of white spice, brioche, touch of bread dough, spring flowers, some yellow lilies, racey soft, yet crispy acidity, perfect balance, soft tension & structure, balance for days and a nicely knitted & smartly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds.

The 169ème Édition Cuvée is composed around the 2013 vintage and is a blend of 146 wines from 11 different years. The youngest is from the year 2013 and the oldest dates back to 2000. The 169eme spent 7 years in the cellar. Composed of 43% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay & 22% Pinot Meunier. The reserve wines are from the House’s extensive library and made up 40% of the final blend.

Photos of; Krug’s backend, tasting room, cellar and vineyard. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured to celebrate a pretty cool personal and professional achievement; enjoyed over a two hour period. This particular bottle has been stored in my cellar since release. The 2004 “La Grande Dame” pours a brilliant yellow color with medium+ viscosity and a persistent mousse of fine bubbles. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of golden raspberry, Meyer lemon, some apple, some brioche and nuts; just a touch oxidative. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. However, I feel compelled to share that this gave me the overall impression of a sort of liquid lemon-raspberry custard croissant with shaved almonds on top. It was awesome. The finish was long and there is some palpable density in this wine. So much so that I think these easily have another 10-15 years in them. That being said, this was yummy and I wouldn’t hesitate to enjoy now. — 18 days ago

Joe Fischer

9.2

Slightest pink tone to the Champagne. Lovely mouth filling texture! Pear and strawberry aromas. High acidity due to no MLF. A bit of yellow apple on the bud. — 24 days ago

Jay Ciccarelli

9.2

Hot nose, big floral, fat berry, tar, chocolate. Medium dry tannins, lots of oak, takes away a bit from the fruit. Tight. Needs to breathe. I’ll wait to score. After two hours it’s put on weight. Fruit came out and tannins became well integrated. I’d have given it a 87-88 on opening but now it’s a solid 92. — a month ago

Freek Welter

10

Drinking, not tasting! Late release grande cuvee, vintage unknown, but somewhere between 1967 and 1981 — 16 days ago

Mike Holzer

9.5

Mini reunion jazz fest. Class of 98. Chrrry tobacco on nose with a bit tobacco. Cinnamon clove. Nice mouthful cherry tobacco. Long length. Beauty in a bottle! — a day ago

with Aran

Alan Snitow

9.3

Astonishing nose — 10 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.4

From magnum, the 1996 Grande Année pours a brilliant pale gold color with a persistent mousse. Initially, the wine showed more oxidative notes but it freshened up considerably with air (in fact, a tiny amount was leftover for the next morning and it remained brilliant, racy even!). On the nose, notes of almond, citrus, honey, chalky minerals and brioche. On the palate, wine is developing with absolutely brilliant acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. The 1996 vintage is simply amazing. Here we are, 28 years past vintage and this bright and full of life! Granted, it’s a magnum, but still. Drink now with patience or enjoy through 2046+. — a month ago