Wine Advisor
Krug, Clos du Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Brut 2000
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Just beginning to show the early signs of evolution in its color and flavors, the 2000 Clos du Mesnil is in an in between spot where it is ideally cellared for at least another few years, after which it is likely to remain at a plateau of maturity for many, many years. Smoke, crushed rocks, dried pears, spices and chamomile all add nuance as the wine gradually opens up in the glass.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
Krug's 2000 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil keeps getting better and better. The flavors are starting to develop lovely layers of complexity, while the wine is also fleshing out a bit, releasing gorgeous layers of texture. Lemon oil, jasmine, white flowers, almonds and spices wrap around the deep, resonant finish in a striking Clos du Mesnil with a bright, bright future. This was bottle N. 6617.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2000 Brut Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil continues to be a big, powerful wine with tons of fruit but less of the energy of the very best years. Pastry, smoke, pencil shavings and rich, yellow-fleshed fruit all emerge from this broad-shouldered, intense Clos du Mesnil. The typical refinement of Mesnil is less evident than it has been in past tastings. Perhaps I am spoiled from having drunk many of the great iconic vintages. Today, it's hard to see the 2000 sitting alongside the very best wines to emerge from this walled in vineyard in the center of Mesnil.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
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.
Reviewed by: Josh Raynolds
(LLSNFF): Vibrant yellow-gold. Smoke- and mineral-accented pear and Meyer lemon on the deeply scented nose, with notes of ginger, vanilla bean and white flowers adding complexity and lift. Sappy, deeply pitched orchard and pit fruit flavors are braced by juicy acidity, picking up sweet butter and anise nuances with air. Chewy and mineral-driven, with superb clarity and slow-building spiciness. An exotic touch of iodine emerges on the finish, which shows outstanding focus and toasty persistence. The combination of power and energy here is really impressive.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
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. Krug – part of the Louis-Vuitton-Moet-Hennessy luxury goods empire since 1999 – continues to release wines fully worthy of their house’s exalted reputation that reflect inter alia the effects of micro-vinification in barrel and an (in the best sense) laissez-faire and leisurely attitude toward elevage and bottle-aging. (Although – for what little this may be worth – count me among those who find the metalicized labels that now adorn their bottles glitzy, and as such slightly incongruous with their contents). Director Olivier Krug represents his family’s sixth generation, assisted by veteran cellarmaster Eric Lebel and oenologist Julie Cavil. Most Champagne lovers will realize that each bottle from Krug nowadays comes with an identification number enabling the consumer to research its approximate disgorgement date – and
About the Producer
The House was established in Reims in 1843, by Joseph Krug, a visionary non-conformist with an uncompromising philosophy. Having understood that the true essence of Champagne is pleasure itself, his dream was to craft the very best Champagne he could offer, every single year, regardless of annual variations in climate. Paying close attention to the vineyard’s character, respecting the individuality of each plot and its wine, as well as building an extensive library of reserve wines from many different years allowed Joseph Krug to fulfil his dream. With a very original approach to Champagne making, he decided to go beyond the notion of vintage to create the most generous expression of Champagne, every year. Thus, he founded a House in which all Champagnes are of the same level of distinction. Six generations of the Krug family have perpetuated this dream, enriching the founder’s vision and savoir faire.
