Krug Clos du Mesnil 2000
To the elegance and purity of the Chardonnay grape and the mineral accents characteristic of the Mesnil-sur-Oger plot, Krug Clos du Mesnil 1998 brings a dramatic new dimension. Constantly surprising, always sublime, Krug Clos du Mesnil 1998 is a sensational interpretation of this exceptional vintage. Notes of honey, nougatine and candied citrus
The composition is 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Clos du Mesnil, a single vineyard covering just 1.85 hectares nestling within the village of Mesnil-sur-Oger in the renowned Côte des Blancs. Enclosed by a stone wall since 1698, the Clos du Mesnil is blessed with an ideal microclimate, being situated on a gentle southeast-facing slope and sheltered from the weather by its wall and the surrounding houses.
Background Information:
When Johann-Joseph Krug founded the Krug champagne house in 1843, his dream was to give his name to nothing less than an exceptional champagne- a champagne with a taste all its own. To achieve this, he set himself a few rules, among which, first and foremost: never compromise on quality.
Six generations later, he would approve of his descendents' consistent commitment to excellence. Krug is one of very few champagnes houses that produce only premium blends. This commitment to only the best quality and Krug's unique expertise in champagne-making explain its worldwide reputation.
The wines are made from carefully selected Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. Krug is a guardian of Champagne tradition in still fermenting its wines in small oak barrels, which gives them an exceptional finesse.
Another signature of the Krug style, they are made to mature for at least 6 to 8 years, the reward of which is a distinctive complexity and the ability to age gracefully. Each year, the members of the Krug family blend the different wines that 6 or 8 years later will maintain the high quality and style of their predecessors. Truly exceptional years are consecrated vintage blends.
With methods that guarantee the production and blending of only exceptional champagne, its own 19-hectares vineyard, the quality of the 56 hectare vineyards the house buys its precious grapes from and its stock worth 7 years of production, no wonder Krug is the reference for premium champagnes.
Krug is an encounter, an experience, a revelation – and a collection of six extraordinary champagnes: Krug Grande Cuvee, Krug Rose, Krug Vintage, Krug Collection, Krug Clos du Mesnil and Krug Clos d'Ambonnay.
Krug Clos du Mesnil is the one exception to the Krug rule of blending, since it is the product, not merely of a single grape variety and a single year, but of a single historic vineyard. In this enchanting champagne, the purity of Chardonnay and the mineral aromas of the terroir are balanced by a discreet yet distinctive taste of honey, which is a particular characteristic of Krug Clos du Mesnil.
The Krugs purchased the Clos du Mesnil in 1971 as part of a total of six hectares of excellent vineyards. However, it was not until after the purchase, when they visited it for the first time, that they realized its full potential. What they found was a beautiful 1.85 hectare vineyard that dated back to 1698, as testified by a plaque on one of its walls.
At the time of the purchase, the Clos du Mesnil had been neglected for some years. The Krugs took the decision to restore the “garden plot” to its former glory by replanting it with Chardonnay vines. The simple solution would have been to replant the whole vineyard at once, but Henri Krug decided to replant the vines in stages, knowing that a champagne has more character when it is made with grapes picked from vines of different ages.
The vineyard was secretly replanted over eight years, and it was not until 1979 that the first harvest was deemed to fulfil expectations. When the wine was tasted, it proved so outstanding that the Krugs decided to bottle it on its own. There would be no “assemblage” – a bold decision amply justified by the exquisite quality of the single ingredient.
