Krug Brut Champagne Blanc de Noirs Clos d'Ambonnay 2002

100 points Yohan Castaing (Decanter): "The bouquet has a magnificent classicism to it, comprising notes of yellow fruits, spices including white pepper, flowers and a mineral edge. With aeration, scents of menthol emerge from the glass. The palate is upright in character, but elegant and crystalline, with a long, structured finish of chalky density. A Champagne having both thrust, tension and aerial lightness in which finesse and power are allies. A masterpiece. Krug Chef de Cave Julie Cavil said 2002 was 'the last classic year in Champagne, one without extreme elements and with optimal ripeness obtained step by step'.100% Pinot Noir from 0.68ha located in the village of Ambonnay. Dosage: 4g/l. Drinking Window: 2020-2070. (Sep 2020)"

99 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "After the 1995, 1996, 1998 and 2000 vintages, the 2002 Blanc de Noirs Brut Clos d’Ambonnay is the fifth edition of this splendid but rare and expensive Pinot Noir. Sourced in a tiny, walled 0.68-hectare (1.7-acre) plot on a deep stratum of chalk, the 2002 offers a deep, ripe and highly elegant nose with very fine cherry and red fruit aromas in the beautifully vinous Krug style. On the palate, the 2002 is terribly fresh and finessed, highly aromatic and very mineral, with great structure and a very, very long and tensioned finish. This is a taut and expressive yet highly finessed Clos d'Ambonnay that is shining brighter and becoming more and more complex the more time it has to breathe. Breathtaking maturity, creaminess and a brioche-flavored taste of dried and candied fruit characterizes this mouthfillingly round and intense Clos d’Ambonnay whose vinous charm and depth is teasingly attractive. Tasted in Reims, April 2018. Drink: 2018-2032. (Jun 2018)"

99 points Wine Spectator: "Beautifully fragrant, with toast, ground coffee and saffron notes on the nose accenting the palate's concentrated range of baked black cherry, quince paste, lime blossom and crushed hazelnut flavors. Vivid, sculpted acidity and depth of flavor lend tension and muscle to this powerful Champagne, while the finely detailed mousse and seamless integration provide an overall sense of finesse and harmony. Drink now through 2032. 435 cases made. (12/15/18)"

97-99 points Essi Avellan, MW: "3/2022: Krug’s magnificent Clos d’Ambonnay plot produced a stunning wine in 2002, so full of fruit and gloriously topped with toasty notes. Bright lemon-yellow colour. The sweetly fruity nose is evolving gracefully, joined by layers of dried fruit and roasted coffee. Its well-structured and persistent palate is equally impressive. The fruity richness is enlivened by the wine’s fine acid structure that carries it from its lush beginning to an extremely long finish. 6/2023: And greatness verified a year or so later... Stunning complexity and lots of way to go. Juicy, mellow, silky and energetic. Sheer perfection. (Jun 2023)"

98 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2002 Clos d’Ambonnay is another spectacular Champagne from Krug. In fact, the 2002 may very well be the most sensual Clos d’Ambonnay yet. Opulent, intense and yet light on its feet, the 2002 has it all. Hints of ash, graphite and smoke wrap around a core of rich Pinot fruit in a powerful, riveting wine of the highest level. Chef de Caves Eric Lebel describes 2002 as a perfect growing season. “We had sun we wanted it and rain we needed it,” he told me recently. The Krug team captured everything the vintage had to offer, certainly to a far greater degree than they did with the 2002 Clos du Mesnil or Vintage. Readers who can find the 2002 Clos d’Ambonnay and who can look past the price will experience a seriously phenomenal Champagne. That’s all there is to it. Drink: 2018-2038. (Dec 2017)"

96-97 points Richard Juhlin (The Champagne Club): "(100% Pinot Noir). It is incredible that Krug has managed to find the perfect Pinot Noir terroir for their house style in this location in Ambonnay. At first you will be both impressed and a little scared by the price tag, but of course you will be just as curious. Why should it cost so much? Is it really that good? Can not the growers do the same with oak barrels from the finest villages? In theory, that should be the case, and I'm not at all convinced that this is Ambonnay's best position. A large part is based on Krug's secret house recipe and I actually think they could do something just as good from, say, Le Leon in Aÿ. When someone like me gets this champagne served blindly, the bells stop. First, you are immediately captivated by the elegance and distinctive essence of intense intense perfume a´la Krug. It took a few minutes before I left the main track Krug Millésime and the search for which vintage could show such intensity, depth and crackling energy. If the color had not had splashes of gold and bronze, I could for a moment have been able to trace Krug Clos du Mesnil, which has the same intensity and unmistakable Krug perfume, but of course a completely different floral and lime-scented grape aroma and coconut butteriness. It also strikes me that although Clos d´Ambonnay is made from Pinot Noir, it is much more like a Corton-Charlemagne from Coche-Dury than a La Tâche. Namely, there are oceans of orange and red citrus both as candied oranges, mandarin and blood grape. Already the aroma is dominated by this intense citrus cannonade together with chocolate dipped roasted hazelnuts, honey, geranium, honeysuckle together with oriental spices, cakes and incense. The taste continues on exactly the same theme and begins with a colorful attack followed by silky seamless texture before the finish once again takes on new energy-charged fresh sour momentum with fresh red citrus in all the colors of the palette. A masterpiece in 5000 copies you have to drink once in a lifetime. Thank you Henrik, Eddi and Mats! (Jan 2023)"