In 1991, just two years after Olivier joined Krug, a Clos surrounded by a protective wall since 1766 was found in Ambonnay, Krug's favourite village and largest source of Pinot Noir. The tiny 0.68-hectare site was purchased in 1994 and the first vintage was produced in 1995. Kept an absolute secret until its release in 2007, Olivier revealed: "We even kept it a secret from Moët for some years!" Clos d'Ambonnay is an extremely rare and exclusive champagne produced only in the very best vintages. Just 4,760 bottles of Clos d'Ambonnay were produced in 1998, each individually numbered.

Krug ID: 111002 | Each bottle of Krug has a Krug ID on the back label which enables you to discover the story of that very bottle. You can do so using the smartphone App or on the Krug website.

Weather: The 1998 vintage was a classic year full of contrasts, typical in Champagne, with an extremely hot month of August followed by some heavy rains. In the case of Ambonnay, this resulted in astoundingly rich, delicious grapes that hinted at the wonderful potential of Krug’s 1998 Clos d'Ambonnay wines from the very first tasting sessions.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Pinot Noir | Clos d'Ambonnay
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Ageing: 12 years on the lees
Disgorged: Winter 2010/2011
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: An intense golden colour with hints of red tones. Amazing aromas of milky caramel, blackcurrant, red fruit jam and jellied fruits. On the palate, there are rich notes of wild fruits, brioche and redcurrant enhanced by an elegant long finish. At nearly twenty years of age, it is still shockingly fresh and lively with an elegant purity and immense power.

Krug Clos d'Ambonnay 1998 can also be purchased in a Limited Edition bottle signed by Olivier Krug and presented in a beautifully crafted and branded wooden box.

Just five years after Joseph Krug founded his eponymous Champagne House in 1843, he documented his great vision for Krug in a cherry-red leather notebook. In it, he revealed the principles of creating a champagne of incredible richness yet great elegance, of selecting only the finest elements from the greatest terroirs, rejecting mediocre fruit and making both a non-vintage and a vintage cuvée - revolutionary at the time. Discovered in 2010 by current House Director and sixth generation of the founding family Olivier Krug, the ideals in this notebook and Krug's resolute commitment to them have secured their position as the most luxurious and exclusive of all Champagne producers.

Unlike other Champagne Houses, Krug's range consists of prestige cuvées only. Their iconic non-vintage Grande Cuvée is a masterful blend of some 120 wines, vintage Krugs are renowned as true classics, majestically displaying the characteristics of each harvest and their unique and exclusive single-vineyard champagnes, Clos du Mesnil and Clos d'Ambonnay are the ultimate rarities. The recent introduction of ID codes displayed on the back of every bottle - revealing base year, disgorgement periods and product information - has helped revise the vision of Krug in line with the great founder's philosophy.

Cellar Master: Julie Cavil
Winery Location: Reims | Champagne, France
Champagne Region: Montagne de Reims
Annual Production (bottles): 760,000