1996 Champagne Krug, Clos d'Ambonnay, Blanc de Noirs, Brut

1996 Champagne Krug, Clos d'Ambonnay, Blanc de Noirs, Brut

Product: 19968119009
 
1996 Champagne Krug, Clos d'Ambonnay, Blanc de Noirs, Brut

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Description

Ambonnay has been described by Michael Edwards as the ‘Volnay of Champagne’. It is a Grand Cru vineyard located on the south-eastern flank of the Montagne de Reims, and is dominated by Pinot Noir, its sparkling progeny exhibiting the feminine elegance for which this style of Burgundy is so well known.

Elegant is may be, but the styles of Krug’s two single vineyard wines (the other being, of course, Clos de Mesnil in the Côte-de-Blancs) could not be more different. The Clos du Mesnil is an archetype of le Mesnil-sur-Oger Chardonnay, with cut-glass definition and operatic scope…… Mozart, however.

Clos D’Ambonnay is more Verdi, mid-period Verdi at that, ludic, muscular, memorable. The Clos D’Ambonnay is a third of the size of the minute Clos Du Mesnil; its 0.68 hectares producing bottles in such limited volumes that the prices have been far from immodest, despite its relative youth. The 1996 has proved a more powerful wine than 1995, its scope and depth more ambitious, ably supported by the acidity for which the vintage is now famous. Brioche, hazelnut, black fruits and hints of ginger and even cloves. Far too young of course, but showing enormous promise.
(Simon Field MW, BBR Buyer)

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Critics reviews

Wine Advocate95+/100
Somewhat surprisingly, Krug presents the much-anticipated 1996 Blanc de Noirs Clos dAmbonnay as the first wine in our tasting. This incredibly refined Champagne opens with a superb, well-delineated bouquet and an impeccable, almost imperceptible mousse. At first very refined, the wine tightens up in the glass considerably as the acidity comes to life on the palate. The purest essence of crushed rocks and minerals define the finish. Today the 1996 Clos dAmbonnay comes across as incredibly young and searing, in fact at this stage, it reminds me most of the vins claires I tasted at the estate last year! The wine will require considerable patience, but given its lack of track record, it seems reasonable to wonder whether the wine will ever be truly as expressive as the 1995, or the other wines in Krugs 1996 lineup. No disgorgement date provided. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026.
Antonio Galloni - 22/12/2009 Read more

About this WINE

Krug

Krug

Krug was established in 1843 and has since specialised in producing only prestige and specialised champagnes. Krug is the only firm still producing all its champagne in small oak casks, an essential element for developing Krug's intense bouquet and complex flavours. Today, Henri, Rémi and Olivier Krug, who supervise every step of production, tasting and blending, represent the 5th and 6th generations.

With long periods of maturation (6-8 years), Krug champagne continues to age gracefully after release, developing an intensely rich, nutty flavour whilst remaining remarkably fresh.

Krug`s finest champagne is Clos du Mesnil, a 100%-Chardonnay based champagne that comes from a small walled vineyard at Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. It is one of the world`s greatest Blanc de Blanc champagnes.

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Brut Champagne

Brut Champagne

Brut denotes a dry style of Champagne (less than 15 grams per litre). Most Champagne is non-vintage, produced from a blend from different years. The non-vintage blend is always based predominately on wines made from the current harvest, enriched with aged wines (their proportion and age varies by brand) from earlier harvests, which impart an additional level of complexity to the end wine. Champagnes from a single vintage are labelled with the year reference and with the description Millésimé.

Non-vintage Champagnes can improve with short-term ageing (typically two to three years), while vintages can develop over much longer periods (five to 30 years). The most exquisite and often top-priced expression of a house’s style is referred to as Prestige Cuvée. Famous examples include Louis Roederer's Cristal, Moët & Chandon's Dom Pérignon, and Pol Roger's Cuvée Sir Winston Churchill.

Recommended Producers : Krug, Billecart Salmon, Pol Roger, Bollinger, Salon, Gosset, Pierre Péters, Ruinart


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Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or.

Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.

Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However the best wines have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.

The best examples are still found in Burgundy, although Pinot Noir`s key role in Champagne should not be forgotten. It is grown throughout the world with notable success in the Carneros and Russian River Valley districts of California, and the Martinborough and Central Otago regions of New Zealand.

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