Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée 161ème Edition Magnum

Champagne Krug Grande Cuvée 161ème Édition

The essence of Krug elegance anchored in the 2005 vintage

Krug Grande Cuvée 161ème Édition was composed around the warm and expressive 2005 harvest. Despite the heat, meticulous selection ensured a balanced result. As always, Krug crafted a cuvée beyond the vintage, blending 134 wines from 12 vintages—from 1990 to 2005—to create a wine of remarkable depth, richness, and harmony.

In the vineyard: a sun-drenched year interpreted with balance

The year 2005 brought a hot, dry summer and early ripening. Some plots gave rich, ripe fruit, while cooler sites preserved natural acidity. Krug’s careful vineyard choices captured both power and freshness, achieving a perfect equilibrium between mature fruit and mineral tension.

In the cellar: blending mastery and the slow alchemy of time

This Édition is built on 44% base wines from 2005, complemented by 56% reserve wines from 11 previous vintages. Each component was vinified in 205 L oak barrels, according to Krug tradition. The cuvée matured over 7 years on the lees, gaining texture, depth, and that unmistakable character only time can bestow.

Grape varieties, tasting impressions and style

Composed of 44% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, and 19% Meunier, this cuvée offers a warm, opulent yet precise personality.
Color: intense, bright gold.
Nose: broad and inviting, with dried fruits, candied citrus, honey, and toasted bread.
Palate: rich and deep, with balanced freshness, creamy texture, and long, saline finish.

Technical sheet

• Producer: Maison Krug

• Wine name: Grande Cuvée 161ème Édition

• Type: Brut Champagne

• Base vintage: 2005

• Blend: 134 wines from 12 vintages (1990–2005)

• Grapes: 44% Pinot Noir, 37% Chardonnay, 19% Meunier

• Vinification: small 205 L oak barrels

• Aging: over 7 years on lees

• Disgorgement: approximately 2013–2014

• Dosage: Brut (approx. 6 g/l)

• Alcohol: 12.5% vol

• Format: 750 ml

• Production: undisclosed

See all products of Aurelien Lemaire

Maison Krug

Excellence in Champagne since 1843

Founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, Maison Krug is today regarded as one of the most prestigious Champagne houses in the world. Of German origin, Joseph Krug arrived in France with a radical vision: to create a Champagne each year without compromise, capable of offering the fullest expression of taste regardless of climatic conditions. This idea, revolutionary at the time, remains the foundation of Krug’s philosophy, still firmly upheld by the family today. Though now part of the LVMH group, the House has retained rare creative and operational independence, preserving an identity that has resisted trends and market shifts, establishing itself as an undisputed reference in the world of high-end Champagne.

Extreme selection and an intimate relationship with each plot

At Krug, vineyard work is rooted in an intimate understanding of every single parcel. Grapes are sourced from around 250 plots, each vinified separately, with the aim of highlighting and respecting the individuality of every micro-terroir. Krug does not own vast vineyards but relies on long-standing relationships with a highly selective network of growers, built on trust and quality. Grape selection is obsessive, and each parcel is treated as a wine in its own right, capable of contributing uniquely to the final blend. Respect for natural balance and the adoption of sustainable farming practices are central to the House’s philosophy, with an increasing focus on precision viticulture that honors the land.

Vinification as an art of listening to time and memory

In the cellar, Krug stands for artisanal precision and a tailor-made approach. Each base wine is vinified separately in small 205-liter oak barrels—a rare choice in modern Champagne—which allows for natural micro-oxygenation and exceptional aromatic complexity. The other cornerstone of Krug’s method is the careful preservation of hundreds of reserve wines from over 15 different vintages. This liquid memory is what enables Krug to craft its Grande Cuvée each year, the House’s true emblem, an assemblage of more than 120 wines where every element is selected to create a Champagne beyond time. Extended lees aging—often over 7 years—completes a process where no shortcuts are allowed and excellence is the only acceptable outcome.