2000 Krug Clos du Mesnil
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Tasting notes
The 2000 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil is rich, deep, textured and wonderfully complete. The seductiveness of the 2000 vintage comes through beautifully, but the Mesnil has extra dimensions of depth that aren’t found in the Vintage. Smoke, ash, graphite, pastry and lemon are some of the nuances that unfold in this supremely gracious, refined Clos du Mesnil. I expect the 2000 to take some time to reach its peak, but it is superb, even at this early stage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035. ||I tasted a wide range of wines during my visit to Krug this year, including several versions of the Grande Cuvee that have temporary proprietary names meant to distinguish each release, including the ‘Equilibre’ (1998 base) and ‘Savoir Faire’ (2001 base). The wines still don’t carry disgorgement dates (and probably never) will, but this is a step forward. Yes, the corks have a code that indicates an approximate disgorgement date range, but that is of no use until a bottle is opened. Still, the proprietary name concept is clever, unique and does achieve the purpose of distinguishing each release of the Grande Cuvee. I hope Krug makes the decision to market the next release of their Grande Cuvee with a proprietary name. Wine Advocate.November, 2011
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Richard Juhlin
More reviews and scores
No tasting note. Tasted Nov 15, www.champagneclub.com
Krug’s 2000 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil represents the most recent incarnation of a nowadays insanely expensive bottling from a 4.5-acre enclave that they have made legendary with dedicated bottlings beginning with 1979, and which – unlike this house’s “regular” Vintage Brut – is “declared” nearly every year. A striking aromatic evocation of sea breeze, with oyster and mussel shells corresponds with surprising closeness to the initial aromatic impression made by Krug’s “regular” 2000 vintage bottling. But here, gingerbread and candied lemon rind, vanilla and heliotrope emerge from behind the maritime veil, anticipating the ripeness accompanied by transparency to mineral nuances that is revealed on an infectiously juicy and texturally ultra-refined palate. The interaction of maritime mineral, lemony citric, floral and spice elements carries with subtlety and impressive persistence. This is frankly a bit youthfully austere, and I imagine that it will take another year or two for it to begin to tip its full hand; but there is little doubt that nature dealt it a lucky set of cards. It should merit following for at least 12-15 years. Nov 2013, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Krug is a remarkable Champagne House which only makes prestige cuvées. The wines – with their distinctive rich, complex, oxidative style – are some of the region’s best.