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2003 Champagne Krug, Clos du Mesnil, Blanc de Blancs, Brut

  • White
  • Dry
  • Full Bodied
Ready, but will improve
Jancis Robinson MW
18.5/20
Antonio Galloni
94+
94/100
Product: 20038118998
2003 Champagne Krug, Clos du Mesnil, Blanc de Blancs, Brut

Description

Krug released the 2003 vintage of the incredibly rare Clos du Mesnil, with a real appeal to avid collectors. Clos du Mesnil comes from a single walled vineyard of Chardonnay vines in Mesnil-Sur-Oger. Krug produces one of the purest expressions of a 100% Chardonnay Champagne that you will ever have the pleasure of tasting. Only available through a strict allocation process due to the tiny quantities (only 8671 individually numbered bottles of 2003 available in the world), this is an incredibly rare Champagne.

2003 is a year that offered abundant warmth and produced generously styled Champagne. This has played perfectly in to the hands of the Krug house style and as such their wine is among the best of the vintage, with wonderful richness and depth. These are presented in a wooden case.
Few wine lovers would disagree with the sentiment that Krug sits firmly atop the Champagne tree. In 1843, Joseph Krug set out with a singular aim; to craft the finest expression of Champagne every year, irrespective of conditions. A cuvee he simply named, Numéro 1.
Chris Pollington, Fine Wine Account Manager

For me, Krug is more than a Champagne. It is a word that stands for artistry, tradition, craftsmanship, and moments of pure pleasure… All Krug's wines are small masterworks, and although Grande Cuvée may be lighter and fresher than its predecessor, Private Cuvée, after a few extra years in the cellar it outshines the competitors' vintage Champagnes… If the opportunity arises, never miss the chance to drink a Krug!
Richard Juhlin
Colour White
Sweetness Dry
Vintage 2003
Alcohol % 12.5
Maturity Ready, but will improve
Body Full Bodied
Producer Krug

Critics reviews

Jancis Robinson MW 18.5/20
Really impressive nose – very broad, creamy, and flinty, with a little bit of reductiveness combining with a smoky flavour and a lovely dairy yoghurt character. Dry and savoury, fabulous length and intensity on the palate. The reputation of this cuvée is deserved in the sense of the sheer quality of flavours and the massive depth on display. It doesn’t seem clumsy in the way that some 2003s do – but it isn’t doesn't have the defining acidity of, say, Salon 2002. In fact it is quite soft. The real attraction, though, is the range and power of the nose. 2015-2023. jancis_robinson_mw MW, JancisRobinson.com, July 2014
Drink 2015 - 2023
Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com (Jul 2014)
Antonio Galloni 94+
The 2003 Clos du Mesnil is insanely beautiful. Vivid, resonant and textured in the glass, the 2003 boasts magnificent depth and pure breed. Since I last tasted it a few months ago, the 2003 has begun to shut down, which is probably a great sign for its future and overall longevity. Hints of smoke, slate and dried pear gradually open up in the glass, but the 2003 mostly stands out for its exceptional finesse. 2017-2033’ antonio_galloni, Vinous.com, Nov 2014 Krug has done a terrific job with their 2003 Vintage. Warm, richly oxidative Krug signatures wrap around the palate in a textured, inviting Champagne endowed with tons of pure class, something that is especially evident on the finish, which is as sexy as it gets. In this vintage, Chef de Caves Eric Lebel bumped up the percentage of Meunier to give the wine as much freshness as possible. One of the challenges with Krug Vintages is that the wines are never ready to drink when they are released, something that has been true for as long as I can remember. That won't be an issue with the 2003, which is absolutely gorgeous today. I tasted the 2003 twice about a month apart. Those tastings suggest the 2003 won't be a long-lived Champagne by the standards of Krug, one of Champagne's most historic, iconic houses. I would choose to drink the 2003 ahead of any other Krug vintage back to the late 1980s. The 2003 is 46% Pinot Noir, 29% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Meunier. antonio_galloni, Vinous.com, May 2014
Drink 2015 - 2023
Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com (May 2014)
94/100
Incredibly fresh and vibrant, this stunning Champagne weaves a tightly knit skein of ripe pear and tangy yellow plum fruit flavors together, with accents of rich pastry cream, toasted brioche, elderflower, ground cardamom and coffee liqueur. Shows a beautiful texture. A thread of salinity winds through to the lasting finish. Disgorged fall 2013. Drink now through 2029. 832 cases made. Wine Spectator, Dec 2014
Drink 2015 - 2023
WineSpectator.com (Dec 2014)

About this wine

Krug

Krug was established in 1843 and has since specialised in producing only prestige and specialised champagnes. Krug is the only firm still producing all its champagne in small oak casks, an essential element for developing Krug's intense bouquet and complex flavours. Today, Henri, Rémi and Olivier Krug, who supervise every step of production, tasting and blending, represent the 5th and 6th generations. With long periods of maturation (6-8 years), Krug champagne continues to age gracefully after release, developing an intensely rich, nutty flavour whilst remaining remarkably fresh. Krug`s finest champagne is Clos du Mesnil, a 100%-Chardonnay based champagne that comes from a small walled vineyard at Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. It is one of the world`s greatest Blanc de Blanc champagnes.
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