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.
TASTE To the elegance and purity of the Chardonnay grape and the mineral accents characteristic of the Mesnil-sur-Oger plot, Krug Clos du Mesnil 1996 brings a dramatic new dimension. Constantly surprising, always sublime, Krug Clos du Mesnil 1996 is a sensational interpretation of this exceptional vintage. Honey – Nougatine – Candied citrus
COMPOSITION 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.
THE ULTIMATE “GARDEN PLOT” 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.
What the critics say...
Robert Parker: 99 points(01/04/2009)
Hard as it may seem to believe, the 1996 Krug Clos du Mesnil is even better than the 1996 Krug Vintage. Still painfully young, the wine reveals incredible detail in a vivid expression of white peaches, flowers and minerals. While the Vintage is exuberant and expressive, the Clos du Mesnil is all about subtlety, finesse and an incredibly understated, feminine style of Champagne. This is surely one of the most profound wines that have ever passed my lips, and my only hope is that I will have an opportunity to taste it again at some point in the future. For now, the 1996 Clos du Mesnil remains a reference-point wine of the very highest level.
From the grape to the glass, Krug champagne is nurtured with painstaking care and attention to detail. The Krug philosophy is, first and foremost, about a passionate commitment to craftsmanship, defined by a series of uncompromising choices which, taken together, create a taste, a style, that is as... legendary as it is unique. Subsequent generations of the Krug family not merely honoured his achievement, but amplified it, bringing genuine pride and passion to their craft. From meticulous grape selection, through the birth of the wine in small oak casks, to the intricate process of ´assemblage´, followed by long years of aging in the cellars, Krug champagne is the culmination of painstaking care and unrivalled craftsmanship. The result is a taste that is instantly identifiable and utterly unforgettable - a breathtaking abundance of flavours, an extraordinary contrast of richness and power, freshness and finesse. Not only is Krug a personal favourite of experts and connoisseurs, it is regarded the world over as the ultimate expression of discernment and individuality. Krug today is the result of a continuity - of vision, of spirit, of passion - that is an absolute rarity in any time or place. To discover Krug is to share in that spirit, to sense that passion, to experience something truly exceptional. Intense, inspiring, individual, Krug is a revelation every time.
