Krug, Clos d'Ambonnay Blanc de Noirs Brut 1995

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 1995 Clos d’Ambonnay has only recently become expressive. It emerges from the glass with endless layers of fruit, vibrant minerality and a big, building finish. The 1995 is a riper, more generous Ambonnay than the 1996. It will be fascinating to follow both vintages over the coming years and decades.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 1995 Brut Blanc de Noirs Clos d’Ambonnay is simply profound from the very first sip. All of the classic Krug elements are there; the signature bouquet, the finesse of the best Clos du Mesnils, but with the broader shoulders of Pinot from Ambonnay. The fruit is intricately layered in sublime, graceful notes of mineral-infused, perfumed berries that linger on the eternal finish. Totally rich and seductive, the 1995 Clos d’Ambonnay is a wine that will stimulate the intellectual and hedonistic senses to the maximum. In a word, it is divine. The 1995 Clos d’Ambonnay is hard to resist today, but it should continue to develop positively in bottle for a number of years. The only problem is the $3,500 price tag, which means the wine will only be enjoyed by an elite few. No disgorgement date provided. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. My tasting this year with Olivier Krug was fascinating as I had the rare opportunity to taste all of the house’s 1996’s side by side, a comparison that yielded very interesting results. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Lisa Perrotti-Brown

The nose begins savoury providing complex earthy / meaty aromas with a touch of truffles and smoked game, complimented by pronounced autolytic influence and giving way to classic notes of toasted hazelnuts, honeycomb and strawberry shortcake. The intense, concentrated palate issues a razor sharp backbone of acid and an incredibly long, layered finish of praline and minerals, making for a vibrant powerhouse now and promising further balance and complex evolution in years to come. Drink now to 2035. Tasted December 2008.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

Thrown in as a ringer, the 1995 Clos d’Ambonnay is a real treat to taste next to the 1996. In particular, tasting both vintages together shows that that 1995 is the more complete of these two first releases of Krug’s single-vineyard Champagne from Ambonnay. Finely-cut fruit, expressive aromatics and exceptional textural finesse are the signatures. This is another fabulous showing from the 1995 Clos d’Ambonnay.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 1995 Clos d'Ambonnay has only recently become expressive. It emerges from the glass with endless layers of fruit, vibrant minerality and a big, building finish. The 1995 is a riper, more generous Ambonnay than the 1996. It will be fascinating to follow both vintages over the coming years and decades.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 1995 Brut Blanc de Noirs Clos d'Ambonnay is simply profound from the very first sip. All of the classic Krug elements are there; the signature bouquet, the finesse of the best Clos de MesnilsY.but with the broader shoulders of Pinot from Ambonnay. The fruit is intricately layered in sublime, graceful notes of mineral-infused, perfumed berries that linger on the eternal finish. Totally rich and seductive, the 1995 Clos d'Ambonnay is a wine that will stimulate the intellectual and hedonistic senses to the maximum. In a word, it is divine. The 1995 Clos d'Ambonnay is hard to resist today, but it should continue to develop positively in bottle for a number of years. The only problem is the $3,500 price tag, which means the wine will only be enjoyed by an elite few.