Champagne Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil 2002 Krug 75 cl

Description

History

Joseph Krug, a German immigrant from the Rhineland, became a partner in Jacquesson, one of the most important maisons of the time, before founding the maison that would bear his name in 1834. Krug wanted to try to realize his vision, which was to conceive the Champagne as a unique and highly prestigious wine also and above all in the union of several vintages, thus enhancing the concept of cuvée, regardless of the individual vintages. After years of experimentation, he launched his first champagnes in 1943, and continued to produce them personally until 1966, the year of his death. Initially only two products were marketed, Numero 1, an assembly cuvée, which can be considered as the ancestor of the Grande Cuvée, and Numero 2, a vintage, produced only in the great vintages. Indeed many years later this vision of him can be said to have come true; one can only love or hate the Krug style, certainly among the most unmistakable in the region. To do this, the maison only procures the best grapes, whether they come from its own vineyards or from suppliers, and uses wooden “fûts” of 205 hg, slightly smaller than a classic barrique, which, being filled for about ⅘ of their capacity, they allow the peculiar evolution of the wine. After this procedure, we proceed to the tasting of the wines, with particular attention paid to the possibility of creating great vintage champagnes, but above all to the Grande Cuvée. Many vin de reserve are already used for this product, since the cellar always maintains a stock of at least 6 vintages. In fact, it can be affirmed that Krug would continue to produce champagne for at least 6 years even if suddenly no more grapes were harvested; usually between 35% and 50% of reserve wine is used. The famous home of the Krug family, purchased by Paul Krug I at Rue de Coquebert 5, is still the company headquarters today and is famous for the labyrinthine cellars dug into the basement, which allow Krug wines to rest optimally.

The Clos du Mesnil is a vineyard enclosed by walls built as early as 1698 by Claude Jannin and Pierre Dehée Metoen, where Gaspard Jannin, son of Claude, planted the first vines that same year. It is a clos where the particular conformation of the land and microclimate gives the grapes unique characteristics. It was purchased by the Krug maison in 1971, initially with the idea of using chardonnay for the production of the Grande Cuvée, but, in 1980, following the tasting of the 1979 vintage vin claires, the Krug family decided to do something that he had never done before: that is to produce a champagne of a single grape variety and a single vintage, keeping the Krug style intact.

Grapes used

100% Chardonnay (from Clos du Mesnil)

Production method

It is produced according to the so-called methode champenoise or classic method, a method in which the wine substantially undergoes two different fermentations: the first, the alcoholic one (which it shares with the rest of the wines) takes place in vats for fermentation; the second instead takes place directly in the bottle and ensures that during this second procedure, thanks to particular yeasts, the wine also develops carbon dioxide (which will then give life to the famous bubbles when uncorked). The product remains on the lees for about ten years.

Tasting notes

Brilliant golden yellow color, with very fine perlage. Citrus nose, with candied fruits and raisins, pastry and melted butter, with special marine/savory notes intertwined with spices and ginger. Extremely intense and rich, in an elegant succession of aromas. On the palate it returns intense, soft, enveloping, then leaving space for a more savory and mature texture, where the notes of almond and pastry are more perceived. Unique, to be tried at least once in a lifetime.

Possible combinations

Among the most sought after champagnes by aficionados, the Clos du Mesnil represents the excellence of the Krug style in a product that has revolutionized and confirmed this style at the same time. Need to say more?