A racehorse of a Champagne, this mouthwatering sparkler offers aromatic hints of toast and vanilla lacing the tightly knit profile of crème de cassis, ground coffee and mandarin orange peel flavors, with a long thread of anise and cardamom spice notes unraveling on the palate. This is like raw silk. Disgorged winter 2015 to 2016. Drink now through 2025.

95 points, Wine Spectator (2017)

The is the 163rd creation of Krug Grande Cuvée, code 315051, which is based on the 2007 vintage. The oldest wine is from 1990 and the youngest 2007 with 183 wines from 12 vintages. In this early-harvest year aromas were more impressive than taste. Thus the reserve wines lend the complexity, roundness, body and length which were missing. 37% Pinot Noir, 32% Chardonnay, 31% Pinot Meunier. Dosage 6 g/l. Disgorged spring 2014.

Tasted blind. Mellow nose. Savoury and almost meat and two vegy. Very firm. Marked acidity. Throat-warming finish. Very fine peacock’s tail finish. Edgy and youthful and very good. A second taste suggests it falls away a little. And it’s a tad dry on the end. Could this be based on 2006?

19 points, Jancis Robinson (January 2017)