Krug’s Clos du Mesnil tasted: 1979 to 2003

Even in this bad-tempered vintage, the earth-shaking minerality of Krug’s single-vineyard Clos du Mesnil could not be dampened. It utterly trumps the phenolic grip of...

At first, this exhibited alluring tropical passion fruit notes. But five years ago, it was transformed into a more honed and classical Clos du Mesnil....

From the very start, everything was perfectly in place in the 1998. It remains; complex, developed, generous, rich and smooth – a magnificent wine which...

An extraordinary champagne. Profoundly intense and complex with a fabulously opulent texture and nougat infused depth. A dazzling effort which still needs several more years...

Great purity, acidity and a charming apple fruitiness with almond and walnut oil notes in the background. But it lacks the sumptuous sophistication of other...

Clos du Mesnil is defined by its all-enclosing high walls, without which this would be an ordinary piece of ground. Anyone who walks through Clos...

At first, slightly bitter and one-dimensional. But after 15 minutes, it comes to life, with a clear and surprising scent of spice, juniper, papaya, and...

The '89 is one of the richest and most delicious vintages ever produced from Clos du Mesnil. Purists may say that the wine is a...

Still extraordinarily young, taut, pure, silky and mineral fresh. This dances and darts across the palate like a ballerina, yet there is also a hidden...

Still remarkably youthful, delicate and fine-tuned. It’s also fully mature with a deep, classic walnut oil character, broad buttery depth and Batard-Montrachet-like style.

This is the absolute epitome of elegance, pleasure and sophistication. The balance, complexity and length here leave me awestruck. Its polished butteriness, flinty minerality and...

Mature, and the essence of Chardonnay. A vibrantly attractive limey citrus attack is supported by a lively acidity which is very much intact. The elegance,...

This was and is the wine of the vintage, which I find more Krug-like than Mesnil-like. The nose is exotic with oriental spice, toffee, honey,...

Early in its life this had a shy scent, pale colour and delicate citrus flavour. Today, thanks to its terroir and Krug’s savoir faire, it...

Only the second vintage of Clos de Mesnil, it staggers me how good and long-lived this remains. I’ve experienced some bottle variation, but the best...

Brilliantly crafted by Henri Krug this remains a near perfect blanc de blancs. The ultra-refined nose leans more to finesse than richness with juicy Cox's...