Media Release
25 July 2008
Krug Releases 12 Bottles of the World's Rarest and Most Expensive Champagne to New Zealand
The House of Krug is proud to announce the release of the exceptional Clos d'Ambonnay champagne. At a recommended retail
price of $5,600 per bottle, the Clos d'Ambonnay 1995 has one of the highest-ever price tags of a newly released wine.
The Clos d'Ambonnay 1995 is also the rarest of all Krugs available with the vineyard yield limited to just 250 cases. A
limited 12 bottles of Clos d'Ambonnay will be available for purchase in the New Zealand market.
Olivier Krug, Director at Krug says. "More than two decades after Krug Clos du Mesnil, we are about to release another
rare and exceptional champagne - a champagne whose character is so remarkable, it had to be a Krug.  This new Krug is
a celebration of time, of savoir-faire, and of one of our best-loved terroirs, revealed now in its fullest, most intense expression. The House of Krug is proud to present Krug Clos d'Ambonnay."
David Ridley, General Manager of Moët Hennessy New Zealand says Clos d'Ambonnay is particularly special.
"Created by two generations of the Krug family, Clos d'Ambonnay is a Brut Blanc De Noirs crafted from 100% Pinot Noir
grapes from a single vineyard and single vintage. It was inspired by the highly successful Clos de Mesnil, the first
single grape variety, single vintage, single vineyard Champagne produced by the house. Once again, breaking one of the
Maison's own "rules," Clos d'Ambonnay sidesteps the blending, while staying true to the Krug style," he says.
Following the success of Krug's Clos de Mesnil, brothers Rémi and Henri Krug, the former managing director and
winemaker, respectively, sought a second jewel vineyard with the potential to express the quintessence of another of
Krug's cherished terroirs. That jewel was found in a tiny walled vineyard covering just 0.685 hectares on the edge of
the renowned village of Ambonnay, on the eastern curve of the Montagne de Reims, rated grand cru.
Carefully nurtured by Krug with uncompromising craftsmanship, the Clos d'Ambonnay was transformed into a treasure that
would yield an exceptionally rare, fine and powerful champagne. The first harvest was taken on October 1, 1995, when the
sunny summer suited the generous nature of the Pinot Noir grape.
Secretly nurtured in the Krug cellars for a full 12 years, this rarest of all Krugs at once asserts its personality with
a deep, distinctive hue: bright gold enriched with the warm gleam of copper. On the nose, Krug Clos d'Ambonnay allies
charm and finesse to substance and character, offering an early hint of the superb structure to come. On the palate, it
is exhilaratingly fresh and lively, while at the same time magnificently ample and mature, a resplendent harmony of
brioche, grilled almonds, candied spices and lush red berries. Its finish is elegant, endless - the unmistakable
signature of truly fine wine and champagne in its absolute triumph.
A limited 12 bottles of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay will be available at leading stockists at the recommended retail price of
$5,600 per bottle.
ENDS
Krug Clos D'ambonnay 1995
The rarest of all Krugs, Krug Clos d'Ambonnay is the exceptional product of a single walled vineyard in the village of
Ambonnay, which for generations has been one of Krug's best-loved terroirs. In this supremely elegant champagne, the characteristic structure and refinement of Ambonnay's Pinot Noir grapes are
elevated to their ultimate expression by Krug's legendary craftsmanship and long years of aging in the cellars.
Taste
Krug Clos d'Ambonnay 1995 has an intense copper-gold colour and a rich, creamy bouquet with distinctive hints of ripe
fruit and fresh toasted brioche. On the palate, it develops a magnificent harmony of freshness and fullness, vibrancy
and maturity, culminating in a lingering, elegant finish.
Brioche - Grilled Almonds - Candied Spices - Wax - Red Berries
Composition
100% Pinot Noir grapes from the Clos d'Ambonnay, a single walled vineyard covering just 0.685 hectares on the edge of
the renowned village of Ambonnay, on the eastern curve of the Montagne de Reims.
A Jewel Vineyard
The Clos d'Ambonnay is the ultimate jewel vineyard, a mere third of the size of the Clos du Mesnil. Carefully nurtured
by Krug, which brought all its uncompromising craftsmanship to bear, in particular introducing its characteristic
pruning methods to produce small quantities of highly individual grapes, the Clos d'Ambonnay was transformed into a
treasure that would yield the most exceptional champagne.
The launch of Krug Clos d'Ambonnay is a landmark, not only because the release of a new Krug champagne is an exceptional
event in itself, but also because it is a champagne on which two generations of the Krug family - Henri Krug, Rémi Krug
and Olivier Krug - worked together in unison.
Harvested
October 1, 1995
"I can say at first hand, that after a whirlwind 3 day trip to Epernay, Reims and Paris, that the new wine is stunning." - Marc Lazar, eRobertParker.com
"Masterpiece which marries power with finesse, it's unmistakably Krug with layers of flavour, super-fine texture,
balance, complexity and length. It is quite sensational and more than worthy of the Krug name. There's no question that
it will become an auction gem." - Serena Sutcliffe
"If Krug's Clos du Mesnil is a breath of spring air, this is the autumn counterpart, full of rich, golden tones, a
summer's bounty reaching full maturity. I scored 97 points, non-blind." - Bruce Sanderson, Wine spectator online, March 08
"Krug Clos d'Ambonnay 1995 is 'as far removed from the old Pinot cart-horse as a wild stallion." - Neil Beckett, The World of Fine Wine, April 08