Krug Grande Cuvee Edition 164 N.V.

A stellar Champagne, Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition, (2008 base vintage) is painfully tight. The 164 is a fabulous wine, but readers should not fall into the temptation of opening a bottle anytime soon. Crushed rocks, slate, mint, sage and white pepper lend striking aromatic brightness. The 164 is just as compelling as it has always been. Even so, it needs time to be at its very best. The 164 is a blend based on 2008, with reserve wines back to 1990. Krug ID: 316031.

Based on the 2008 vintage, Krug's NV Grande Cuvée 164ème Édition is really beginning to drink with some style, bursting from the glass with complex aromas of tangerine oil, crisp yellow apple, dried fruits, buttered toast, iodine and honeycomb, uniting attributes of youth and maturity, all wrapped up in Krug's signature toasty patina. Full-bodied, seamless and concentrated, with a fleshy core of fruit, racy acids and an envelopingly pillowy mousse, it's an intense, sapid wine that is emerging as one of the best "young" renditions of Grande Cuvée for drinking today.

Harmonious and supple, the NV Champagne Grande Cuvée 164 spans the vintages of 1998 through 2008 and has all the components of a truly great Grand Cuvée. Opening in the glass to notes of preserved Meyer lemon, white peach, almond croissant, and incense, on the palate the wine is custardy and rounded, with a gorgeous pillowy mousse. Full-bodied and long, all its structure works in concert, with nothing sticking out, and it has a flourish of white pepper spice on the finish. This is a truly stunning Champagne. Drink 2023-2040.

Intense and complex, with lots of buttered toast, salted caramel, apricot compote, raspberries, praline, marmalade, white chocolate and preserved lemons. So much packed in the broad, deep and rich palate, yet bound together with sharp acidity and tight bubbles. So long and generous. 48% pinot noir, 35% chardonnay and 17% pinot meunier. Blend of 127 wines from 11 vintages, based on 2008 and going back to 1990. Drink or hold.