Krug iD | Krug Clos d'Ambonnay | 308009

308009

Krug Clos d'Ambonnay
1996

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 exalts the elegant intensity of one of the finest terroirs in the region, the Clos d’Ambonnay – and of a single grape variety, Pinot Noir, from a single year, 1996.

Born from the gentle circumstances of 1996, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 exhibits exquisite grace, depth and beautiful structure.

It is the second champagne from this unique plot of Pinot Noir. The first was created with the harvest of 1995.

Composition

100 %

Pinot Noir

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Blend:

100% Pinot Noir from the Clos d'Ambonnay from the year 1996

Cork received:

Summer 2008

A word from

The cellar master

The expression of a glorious year, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 caresses the senses with ample fragrances and full flavours, blossoming into a bouquet of freshness.

Julie Cavil, Krug cellar master

In 1996, the village of Ambonnay had extremely wide diurnal temperature variations as the grapes were coming to the end of the cycle in the vineyard. Warm sunny days and very cold nights resulted in ripened grapes with extraordinarily high freshness. This weather pattern exalted the finesse of Clos d’Ambonnay’s Pinot Noir grapes, which is why 1996 is a year for Champagne’s history books.

Krug’s savoir-faire successfully revealed the depth and intensity of Pinot Noir from this walled plot in the year 1996.

Time in cellars:

This individually numbered bottle spent at least 12 years in Krug's cellars further developing its depth and complexity.

After regular tasting and appraisal, it received its cork as Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 in Summer 2008.

Part 1

FOOD PAIRING

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 1996 can be enjoyed with pan-seared firm-fleshed white fish, sea bass with a langoustine or an elegant creamy almond sauce, boiled or grilled langoustines with a light sabayon cream, or simple gourmet items such bellota-fed pata negra ham, or a black truffle sandwich.

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TASTING NOTES

Light gold with slight hints of violet, recalling its Pinot Noir origins.

Sumptuous aromas of plum tart fresh from the oven, brioche, lightly toasted hazelnuts, orange blossom, candied apricots and citrus fruit. The palate is incredibly concentrated, full and deep, reminiscent of autumn fruits with amazing freshness and great fullness, enhanced by delicately fine bubbles and a very long finish.

Note:

Serving Temperature

The House of Krug recommends that its Champagnes be served between 9°C and 12°C, as colder temperatures limit the expression of their flavours and aromas.

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Note:

The Joseph Glass

In 2011, we partnered with renowned crystalware maker, Riedel, to design a glass that would reveal the fullness of flavours and aromas of Krug champagnes.

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Note:

The Influence of Time

All Krug champagnes gain in complexity and patina with the passage of time. We recommend storing them at the same temperature as you intend to serve them, between 9°C and 12°C.

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RATINGS

"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. Today the 1996 Clos d’Ambonnay 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!"

Rating: 95+/100

Robert Parker - 2020