Quite rich aromas of cooked apples, peaches, pie crust and biscuit. Some dried pineapple. Full bodied with layers of fruit and a really lively backbone of acidity and energy. Really zippy and energetic at the end. A beauty. Based on the 2012 harvest, but 13 different years in the blend.

52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay, 13% Pinot Meunier. A gentle gold with discreet yet persistent mousse and aromatics of spring meadows, lemon sherbet and barley sugar; the wine is pure and softly powerful, youthful energy finely poised, somewhat cautious after so many years in the chalky cellars. The reserve wines, Pinot Noir from Verzenay and Chardonnay from Avize especially, are subtle in support, vivacious despite their relative maturity, contributing to an ensemble which is hitherto dominated by red fruit, courtesy of the superb Pinot Noir, and a colourful tension. Behind that there are whispers of honey, quince and posset… and with so much more to come; but the finish, happily in these days of privation, takes one to wherever one may wish to go. (SF)

The Krug Grand Cuvée 168ÈMÉ is a blend of 52% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 13% Meunier selected from several different vintages dating back to 1996, with the base being 2012. This is a strikingly beautiful release from Krug, which is all about elegance and precision. It begins with gorgeous aromatics of sliced pear, lemon zest, lime blossoms, honeysuckle, crushed limestone and baked sourdough all developing in the glass. On the palate this is laser focused and impeccably balanced with a fabulous mouthfeel and texture that persists through the beautifully refined finish. This is an absolutely stunning bottle of Champagne and while it is simply delightful to approach today, it also seems the best is still yet to come and this should go on to evolve gracefully for quite some time. (JD)