Sotheby’s announces ex-cellar Krug sale

Sotheby’s has announced that it will be hosting an ex-cellar sale of Krug in New York this December, including never-before released wines.

The sale, taking place on 1 December, spans over 40 vintages of Krug and is the largest offering to have ever come directly from its cellar since the house’s founding in 1843.

Vintages include 1961, 1979 and 1982 and also four wines that have never been released commercially by Krug, the Grande Cuvée: Finesse, Savoir-Faire, Richesse and Mémoire.

One of the highlights of the sale is expected to be a case of 1990 Clos du Mesnil with an estimate of US$20,000 to $30,000.

The whole collection is expected to realise $350,000 to $500,000.

Serena Sutcliffe MW, worldwide head of Sotheby’s wine department said: “Krug is the Rolls Royce of all Champagnes and we are honoured to bring to auction this remarkable library of their finest wines and vintages.

“The depth and profundity of Krug are legendary and this is an unsurpassed opportunity to enter this cellar of treasures and acquire rarities of perfect composition and maturity. Krug Champagnes possess extraordinary intensity and class, the result of noble vineyards, unique cellar methods and brilliant blending, honed by long experience. We are the beneficiaries of such great art.”

Olivier Krug, director of Krug added: “It has been a fascinating experience for all of us to prepare this sale with Sotheby’s and especially with Serena who came with her memory and own anecdotes, from the secrets leading to the recreation of Krug Grande Cuvée, to the discovery of the oldest vintages, from the unconventional decision that led to the release of Krug 1989 before Krug 1988, to the day when we first opened the gates of our two Clos, not to mention our first encounter in Japan in the early ‘90s or even her dance with my grandfather Paul.”