Compared to Krug's 160th edition, the bright golden-yellow colored NV Grande Cuvée 166ème Édition (ID117010) is still a baby that shows the chalky and fruity features of a young white Burgundy intermixed with notes of Schwarzwälder Kirsch (dark cherries with black chocolate) and floral (ammonia) flavors on the pure, fresh and elegant yet intense and still yeasty brioche nose with its ripe apple aromas and refreshingly bright (lemon juice) overtones. Round, wide and very elegant yet also straight and tense on the palate, this 2010-dominated cuvée is very delicate, fresh and chalky but also dense and lush in its vinous texture. The finish is well-structured, fresh and persistent, indicating great complexity and vibrancy. However, I would wait at least another three years, during which time the 166th edition will gain even more finesse and quiet. The 166ème Édition is composed of 140 wines from 13 different harvests between 1998 and 2010, and it's a blend of 45% Pinot Noir with 39% Chardonnay and 16% Pinot Meunier, the latter of which provides the vivacity that the Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs surprisingly didn't have in 2010, a vintage that was marked by its "tumultuous climate," as Eric Lebel writes. Tasted in New York in November 2018.

Magnum. Pinot Noir 45%, Chardonnay 39% and Pinot Meunier 16%. Base vintage 2010. Reserve wine 42%. Lees ageing: 8 years. Disgorged spring 2019. Dosage: 6 g/l. Very pale gold. Intensely fragrant with orange blossom and orange fruit. Orange-blossom honey. Fragrant with jasmine but also really toasty and nutty, plus yellow plums. Too delicate to be compared to brioche but buttery and extraordinarily intense. Deep, long and pure. Perfect balance, there's massive tension and power yet great elegance on the long finish. Outstanding. (JH)