NV Krug Grande Cuvee Edition 171

The 171st edition of Krug’s Grande Cuvée is predictably superb. Based on the 2015 vintage, it is such a baby at the moment – a structured and tight wine that needs time in bottle to reveal its potential. The nose is a little shy, with red-apple skin, lemon pith, toasted brioche, strawberry sherbet and crème pâtissière notes gradually emerging with time. The palate is firm and almost stern with its framework of fruit and the persistent, finely textured mousse. Powerful yet with finesse, there’s a wave of lemon curd and honey that leads onto a long, flinty mineral finish.