Krug - Champagner Clos d´Ambonnay 1998

JANCIS ROBINSON: „This is only the third release of this luxury wine. Really quite a dark coppery gold. Very big and bold on the nose. Heady, mushroomy, almost beery! Lovely fine, tiny bead. Like Clos du Mesnil, this has a bone-dry finish and is very forcibly real wine rather than evanescent champagne. Real vinosity; very different in build from other Krug wines."

WINE SPECTATOR: „Exotic on the nose, with woodsy spice and bergamot notes, this luxurious Champagne is driven by vivid, crystalline acidity. A streak of salinity underscores the flavors of black currant pâte de fruit, whole-grain toast, clover honey and chopped almond. Drink now through 2034. 400 cases made."

THE WINE CELLAR INSIDER: „Polished, lush and instantly quite aromatic, with a strong, brioche, flower and strawberry character, roasted apples and spice eventually make an appearance as well. Clearly, this is a very good wine, in a nice flamboyant style, but I do not see the value here, as I've had much better Champagnes for a fraction of the price."

THE WINE ADVOCATE: „The 1998 Brut Blanc de Noirs Clos d'Ambonnay reaffirms my impression from last year. The 1998 is a rich, vinous Clos d-Ambonnay with generous fruit and an inviting, open personality. Crushed flowers, plums, cherries and sweet spices all flow from the glass. Today, the 1998 is rich, deep and highly expressive. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. There are no new vintage wines from Krug, but is always interesting to revisit these wines as they develop so much over time. The biggest news at Krug is the addition of ID Codes to the NV wines, which gives readers the opportunity to get more information on the wines (including disgorgement dates) through Krug's website. It would be great to see more of the larger houses follow suit."