Champagne Clos du Mesnil 1986 Krug

Krug Clos du Mesnil 1986

The Crystal-Clear Purity of Chardonnay in a Historic Vintage

Krug Clos du Mesnil 1986 is one of the most iconic Champagnes ever created, from a single walled plot of Chardonnay in the heart of Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the Côte des Blancs. This rare vintage captures the purest expression of the chalky terroir in a year of exceptional ripeness and freshness.

Origin: A Legendary Clos

The Clos du Mesnil vineyard spans just 1.84 hectares, enclosed by walls since 1698, and planted exclusively with Chardonnay. Krug acquired it in 1971 and began vinifying it separately starting in 1979, creating one of the world’s rarest and most sought-after Blanc de Blancs.

Vintage 1986: Timeless Elegance and Verticality

The 1986 vintage saw a warm summer and late harvest, allowing perfect ripeness while retaining freshness. Clos du Mesnil 1986 displays remarkable vertical structure, crystalline purity, and exceptional aging potential. A monument to Chardonnay’s finesse.

Winemaking: Precision and Absolute Purity

True to Krug’s artisanal philosophy, every step is executed with meticulous care. Fermentation occurs in small old oak barrels with no malolactic fermentation, preserving natural liveliness. The wine ages on lees for over 10 years, with late disgorgement and minimal dosage.

Tasting Notes

Color: Bright golden yellow with light amber highlights.
Nose: Layers of dried fruit, almond, candied citrus, toast, chalk, and a hint of smokiness.
Palate: Tense and vertical, with sharp finesse. Vibrant acidity, saline minerality, and an endless finish.

Recommended Pairings

• Belon or Gillardeau oysters

• Lemon risotto with scampi

• Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

• Hamachi or toro sushi

Serving Temperature: 10–12°C in large white wine glasses.
Optional decanting: 15–20 minutes in the glass.

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Krug

• Cuvée: Clos du Mesnil

• Vintage: 1986

• Grapes: 100% Chardonnay

• Region: Mesnil-sur-Oger, Côte des Blancs, Champagne

• Aging: Over 10 years on lees

• Dosage: Extra Brut (~5 g/l)

• Disgorgement: Late

• Alcohol: 12% vol

• Production: Extremely limited, numbered bottles

Maison Krug

Excellence in Champagne since 1843

Founded in 1843 by Joseph Krug, Maison Krug is today regarded as one of the most prestigious Champagne houses in the world. Of German origin, Joseph Krug arrived in France with a radical vision: to create a Champagne each year without compromise, capable of offering the fullest expression of taste regardless of climatic conditions. This idea, revolutionary at the time, remains the foundation of Krug’s philosophy, still firmly upheld by the family today. Though now part of the LVMH group, the House has retained rare creative and operational independence, preserving an identity that has resisted trends and market shifts, establishing itself as an undisputed reference in the world of high-end Champagne.

Extreme selection and an intimate relationship with each plot

At Krug, vineyard work is rooted in an intimate understanding of every single parcel. Grapes are sourced from around 250 plots, each vinified separately, with the aim of highlighting and respecting the individuality of every micro-terroir. Krug does not own vast vineyards but relies on long-standing relationships with a highly selective network of growers, built on trust and quality. Grape selection is obsessive, and each parcel is treated as a wine in its own right, capable of contributing uniquely to the final blend. Respect for natural balance and the adoption of sustainable farming practices are central to the House’s philosophy, with an increasing focus on precision viticulture that honors the land.

Vinification as an art of listening to time and memory

In the cellar, Krug stands for artisanal precision and a tailor-made approach. Each base wine is vinified separately in small 205-liter oak barrels—a rare choice in modern Champagne—which allows for natural micro-oxygenation and exceptional aromatic complexity. The other cornerstone of Krug’s method is the careful preservation of hundreds of reserve wines from over 15 different vintages. This liquid memory is what enables Krug to craft its Grande Cuvée each year, the House’s true emblem, an assemblage of more than 120 wines where every element is selected to create a Champagne beyond time. Extended lees aging—often over 7 years—completes a process where no shortcuts are allowed and excellence is the only acceptable outcome.