1989 Krug Clos Du Mesnil Champagne

The extraordinary exception in ChampagneIn the heart of the "Cote des Blancs", there is an historical and unique vineyard which nestles in the village of Mesnil-Sur-Oger. Since the year 1698, a domain of 4.61 acres has been entirely walled and totally integrated into the village.

The site is interesting for its exceptional location, as it gives unequalled conditions for the growing and ripening of the chardonnay grape which is planted on a gentle slope facing south east.

It is for this reason that we are able, in certain years, to make an exception to Krug's fundamental rule of blending and to treat "Clos du Mesnil" as a unique wine from a complete domain of its own.

This property which belonged to the Benadictine Monastery of Le Mesnil until 1750 was purchased by Krug in 1971 in the size and form that have existed since 1698 (a scaled stone in teh vineyard wall testifies to this date). In 1971, the vines were too old and there was an urgent need for a full programme of replanting. This was achieved gradually from a progressive plan, plot by plot. It was not until the 1979 vintage that "Clos du Mesnil" was restored to its proper standards of greatness.

Under Krug's ownership, the musts have benefited from Krug's policy of fermentation exclusively in small oak casks: a process which develops the finesse and subtlety of the chardonnay grape to perfection.

The combination of a long history and the unique location of this vineyard together with Krug's many refinements, have made it possible today to offer this exceptional champagne with a distinctive and particularly elegant taste.

A very "individualistic" champagne

So Clos du Mesnil which could almost be described as a "Chateau" Krug respects the uniqueness of its "terroir" as well as the character of each vintage, fully enhanced, as one would expect, by the Krug first fermentation exclusively in small oak casks.

The individuality of each vintage clearly stands out: classicism for the 1979, exhuberance for the 1981, opulence for the 1982, the delicacy for the 1983.

The quantities vary from year to year, the average being around 12,000 bottles only.

A special position within the "Krug family"

Together with the two classic Krugs, Krug Grande Cuvee and Krug Vintage, the Krug family includes three "specialties": Krug Rose, Krug Clos du Mesnil and Krug Collection (older Krug vintages especially laid down for 20 years or more).

For the Krugs, there is no hierarchy of quality between their wines, only different compositions, and different creations. Henri Krug likes to compare Krug Grande Cuvee to a symphony where all the instruments play together and form the harmony of the whole piece, whereas for him, Krug Clos du Mesnil is a sonata - single instrument Krug - but where the style of the author (i.e. in this case the belonging to the Krug family) remains clear and obvious.

Made from 100% Chardonnay. Bright straw colour - fine, profuse bead. Superb, toasty, yeast nose. A wine of exceptional finesse with delicate citrus, grapefruit flavours and a hint of biscuit. Creamy texture with exceptionally long yeast/citrus/cream aftertaste. Crisp acidity - A wine with a remarkable degree of freshness.Vintages were produced in 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1989, 1990 and 1995.