2000 Clos d’Ambonnay released

The fourth vintage of Krug’s Clos d’Ambonnay, the 2000, has been released with just over 5,000 bottles available.

The 2000 follows on from the 1995, 1996 and 1998 incarnations of the extremely rare blanc de noirs which is produced from a vineyard of just 0.68 hectares.

The weather during the vintage was occasionally variable, spring began well and the flowering was a success but July saw rainfall four times heavier than average and a hailstorm which destroyed many bunches. Fortunately August was warm and allowed ripening to catch up and an equally sunny September allowed the harvest to take place on 29 September.

Krug’s cellar master, Eric Lebel, said: “I remember the 2000 harvest at Clos d’Ambonnay as particularly generous with beautiful and healthy Pinot Noir grapes. All elements were there, balanced and with the right intensity, forecasting an exceptional Krug Clos d’Ambonnay, with just the right amount of concentration and distinction.”

Olivier Krug described the wine as: “Precise and balanced… I believe we have succeeded in expressing the full potential of this walled plot with true expression and poise. Over the 15 years that Clos d’Ambonnay 2000 has rested in our cellars it has developed astonishing grace and finesse.”

Each of the 5,158 bottles is individually numbered and has a Krug ID which can be entered into a Krug app to show all the information relevant to that particular bottle, including its disgorgement date.

The wine was released in Scotland at the “secret” kitchen garden of the two Michelin starred restaurant near Gleneagles run by chef Andrew Fairlie.

Olivier Krug said at the launch:

“There are many analogies between the way Andrew works and the way we work at Krug. In this wonderful garden, he grows and chooses the best ingredients that allow him, with skill, to make dishes that let the ingredients express themselves fully. Enjoying that food is a special moment and the memory lingers.”

“For Krug Clos d’Ambonnay it is the same. We tend the vines with care, like gardeners, and then craft our Champagne, which celebrates the expression, the rare and unique character of particular Pinot Noir grapes from a tiny plot, in a particular year. Enjoying Clos d’Ambonnay will always be an exceptional moment and will leave a lovely, lasting memory.”