Over 14 years after it entered Krug’s cellars, today it is with the greatest pleasure that the House of Krug presents the most recent Champagne from a tiny walled plot of Pinot Noir vines in the heart of the village of Ambonnay: Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2002.

 

To the delight of Krug Lovers all over the world, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2002 will be available in a limited-edition case comprising three of Krug’s creations from the year 2002, a journey of discovery offering three different musical expressions.

 

At Krug, each individual plot, through its wine, is considered to be a fine musician contributing its own unique character to a Krug Champagne. Thus, Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2002 – the intensity of a single walled plot of Pinot Noir harvested in 2002 – is a virtuoso soloist, while Krug 2002 is an ensemble of musicians playing the music of the year. Finally, Krug Grande Cuvée 158ème Édition, composed around the harvest of 2002 with wines from 10 different years, is the full orchestra playing the most complete symphony Champagne can perform.

 

This limited-edition offer will delight Champagne lovers across the world. It is a tribute both to this exceptional year and to the unique craftsmanship of the House of Krug, which allows for the creation of different expressions of nature, all of the same level of distinction.

 

The Circumstances of 2002

 

"From the very first tastings, we saw nature’s generosity in every plot." - Eric Label, Cellar Master, House of Krug

 

The climate of the year 2002 was generous, consistently mild and relatively dry. The high point of this remarkably clement year was its long summer of warm days and cool nights that offered the ideal conditions for grape maturation. The harvest began in mid-September and when the grapes arrived at the press, they were in excellent condition and fine health.

THE SOLOIST EXPRESSING THE INTENSITY OF A SINGLE WALLED PLOT OF PINOT NOIR IN THE YEAR 2002

The Clos d’Ambonnay is a 0.68-hectare walled plot located in the heart of Ambonnay, one of the most distinguished villages for Pinot Noir grapes in Champagne.
The House of Krug invites Champagne lovers to discover the intensity of this Champagne from a single plot, one single grape variety – Pinot Noir – and the harvest of the year 2002.

The harvest took place on 21 September 2002 and afforded 4743 bottles and, for the first time in the history of this Champagne, 240 magnums, all individually numbered. Because the House of Krug gives each one of its Champagnes and the different bottle formats
the time they need to develop their unique expression and elegance, the magnums are not yet available as they will leave the cellars when the winemaking team feels they are ready.

Krug Clos d’Ambonnay 2002 is a remarkably expressive Champagne, offering aromas of gingerbread, candied orange peel and hints of hazelnut. The elegantly structured palate reveals a tremendous fullness and intensity enhanced by a very long finish with a final hint of citrus fruits. This Champagne is a tribute to the House of Krug’s unique savoir faire with respect for the individuality of each plot and the character of its wine at its very heart.

THE ENSEMBLE OF MUSICIANS PLAYING THE MUSIC OF THE YEAR 2002: “ODE TO NATURE”

At the House of Krug, every Vintage is crafted to be different, celebrating the distinct character of a particular year. It is as if Krug 2002 were the music of the year, captured by Krug.

Krug 2002 tells the charismatic story of an extremely serene and generous year with highly expressive wines, marked by a profound fruity character and a beautiful structure. Given the nickname “Ode to Nature” by the House due to its bountiful fruit, Krug 2002 combines intensity, delicacy and an insolent elegance.

Just a few bottles of Krug 2002 were kept in the House’s the cellars for more than 14 years to complete this case. Vibrant and blossoming, this Champagne will continue to gain with the passage of time, proof that patience is the constant ally of all Krug Champagnes.

THE FULL ORCHESTRA PLAYING THE SYMPHONY OF CHAMPAGNE, COMPOSED AROUND THE HARVEST OF 2002

Every year since the foundation of the House of Krug, a new Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée is created to offer the fullest expression of Champagne. A very limited number of bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée 158ème Édition were discovered in Krug’s cellars where they were then kept waiting for this precise moment.

The generosity of the wines of 2002 was so astonishing that it seemed as if each one had already benefitted from the art of blending. For this reason, Krug Grande Cuvée 158ème Édition is a blend of just 76 wines from 10 different years, the youngest dating from the harvest of 2002, the oldest from the harvest of 1988. Blending so many different wines from different years lends the fullness of flavours and aromas that would otherwise be impossible to express with the wines of just one year.

Over 14 years in Krug’s cellars give this Édition of Krug Grande Cuvée its unique roundness, depth, finesse and elegance. These extremely rare bottles of Krug Grande Cuvée represent the living embodiment of the dream of the founder, Joseph Krug, whose vision and philosophy have been enriched and perpetuated by six generations of the Krug family.