Investment tip from our premium partner RareWineInvest – 2008 Egly-Ouriet [Read the full story by RareWineInvest]
Invest in the world’s most exclusive champagnes from the cult vintage of 1996 [collaboration by RareWineInvest]
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
These are uncertain times, there’s no denying that. However, it’s precisely during such periods that opportunities arise. If you have capital to invest, this is something you should seriously consider, especially if you believe in the excellence of Champagne and strive for nothing but the best.
For a while now, we’ve acquired Krug’s two “single vineyard champagnes,” Clos du Mesnil and Clos d’Ambonnay, from the revered 1996 vintage. Now, you have the chance to invest in these exceptional bottles. It doesn’t take much time with us (or a profound knowledge of Champagne) to recognize that Clos du Mesnil and Clos d’Ambonnay are truly special. And when the label bears the mark of 1996, it doesn’t get much better than that.
Here’s the essential information you need to consider from an investment perspective regarding Clos du Mesnil and the 1996 vintage:
- Krug Clos du Mesnil has seen 20 releases to date, spanning from the inaugural 1979 vintage to the most recent in 2008.
- The presence of Krug on the bottle signifies an unparalleled level of quality. If it also bears the names Mesnil or Ambonnay, “sky-high level” becomes a historical understatement.
- Among all Clos du Mesnil vintages rated by the three primary critics, the 1996 vintage boasts the highest average score of 99.3 points, surpassing all others.
- Vinous awards it a perfect 100 points, while Richard Juhlin and Wine Advocate both grant it 99 points. Notably, Juhlin has assigned a Champagne a perfect 100 points only once before (1928 Pol Roger Vinotheque).
- Clos du Mesnil, alongside Salon, stands as the highest-rated 1996 Champagne according to Wine Advocate.
- The production is extremely limited, with an average of approximately 12,500 regular bottles and 600 magnums per vintage over the last four years. For the 1996 vintage, only the equivalent of 9,800 bottles were produced, as per Juhlin.
- The 1996 spent about 14 years aging at Krug and, despite its extended time in the market, is anticipated to have a long future. Wine Advocate and Vinous estimate its optimal drinking window extending until the latter half of the 2030s.
- Based on Liv-ex data, the last ten vintages of Clos du Mesnil on the market for at least five years have yielded an average annual return of 14.4%, nearly doubling in value within five years.
- The price surge is not confined to the last five years. Wine-searcher.com reveals that the average asking price for the 1996 Clos du Mesnil has surged by 210% over the last decade.
- The current minimum price for the 1996 Clos du Mesnil on wine-searcher.com is €2,500, while your investment cost is €2,375.