{"product_id":"krug-grande-cuvee-173-nv","title":"Krug Grande Cuvee # 173 NV","description":"\u003cp\u003eKrug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition is the house’s ultimate expression of Champagne, crafted from a mosaic of vintages to create a depth and complexity no single harvest can deliver. Based primarily on the 2016 harvest and composed of 11 different years (the oldest from 1998), this non-vintage cuvée is blended with the precision and patience that have made Krug a benchmark for prestige Champagne. Each Edition of Grande Cuvée is unique, and the 173ème Édition stands out for its refined power, layered richness and astonishing freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn the glass, Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition shows a luminous golden hue with a fine, persistent bead that speaks to its extended lees aging. The nose is complex and inviting, opening with white orchard fruits, white flowers and citrus zest, followed by more opulent notes of beeswax, marzipan, toasted hazelnuts, dried herbs and ripe stone fruits.\n\nOn the palate, this is medium to full-bodied, rich and concentrated yet beautifully poised. A subtle spicy note leads into an enveloping, multi-layered texture, with a succulent, almost fleshy core of fruit framed by vibrant acidity and a pronounced mineral drive. Flavors of baked apple, pear, nougat, brioche and roasted nuts unfold with each sip, finishing long, precise and saline. Degorged in the first quarter of 2023 with a dosage of 4.5 g\/L, it balances generosity with tension and is superb on release, but will reward cellaring for 5–10 years to gain even more complexity and textural harmony.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe 173ème Édition is rooted in the cool, chalk-rich slopes of Champagne, where Krug sources parcels from some of the region’s finest villages to capture a wide spectrum of expression. Primarily crafted from Pinot Noir (44%), complemented by Chardonnay (30%) and the remainder Pinot Meunier, it is based on the 2016 harvest and completed with reserve wines spanning a total of 11 vintages back to 1998. Each plot is vinified separately, traditionally in small oak barrels, preserving the identity and nuance of each terroir. After blending—an intricate process at the heart of the Krug philosophy—the wine undergoes second fermentation in bottle, followed by extended aging on the lees in the chalk cellars before disgorgement in early 2023, with a carefully judged, low dosage to highlight purity and finesse.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood \u0026amp; Serving\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis Champagne is a versatile gastronomic partner, equally at home as an aperitif or throughout an entire meal. Pair it with refined seafood such as poached lobster, scallops, oysters or turbot, as well as roasted poultry, veal in cream sauce, mushroom dishes, truffle risotto or aged Comté and Parmesan to echo its nutty, savory layers. Serve well chilled but not icy, ideally at 9–11°C (48–52°F), to allow the full aromatic range to unfold. A gentle decant in a wide-bowled Champagne glass or giving the wine 10–15 minutes in the glass will help it open up and reveal its intricate layers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFounded in 1843 in Reims, Krug is one of Champagne’s most revered houses, known for its uncompromising commitment to craftsmanship and its pioneering vision of treating every vineyard plot as a separate cru. Krug Grande Cuvée is the cornerstone of that philosophy—a multi-vintage prestige cuvée that aims to recreate, every year, the fullest expression of Champagne, beyond the character of any single harvest. The house has played a defining role in elevating Champagne from a celebratory drink to a serious fine wine, and its wines are consistently sought after by collectors, sommeliers and connoisseurs worldwide. Krug’s meticulous attention to detail, from small-barrel vinification to long cellar aging, has earned it a legendary status in the region and a reputation for producing some of Champagne’s most complex and age-worthy wines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Krug","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54252568248657,"sku":"PS-15723319067004","price":238.86,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0874\/0614\/9969\/files\/KrugGrandeCuvee_170NV.png?v=1783445176","url":"https:\/\/bottlehero.com\/products\/krug-grande-cuvee-173-nv","provider":"Bottle Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}