Description
A single walled vineyard in Mesnil sur Oger defines the origin of the 2006 Krug Champagne Blanc de Blancs Clos du Mesnil, bottled here in magnum and drawn exclusively from old vine Chardonnay rooted in deep chalk capped by extremely thin topsoil. This east facing monopole benefits from gentle morning sun, cooler afternoon conditions, and consistent airflow, factors that supported a long, finely paced ripening cycle in 2006. Vineyard management centers on balanced pruning, low yields, and hand harvesting carried out in multiple passes to address subtle intra parcel differences in soil depth and exposure. Each component ferments separately in small neutral oak barrels, continuing a longstanding Krug practice that allows detailed structural assessment prior to any assemblage decisions. Following secondary fermentation, the wine rests for an extended period on lees in the house’s chalk cellars, where stable temperatures support gradual integration. As Krug’s most site focused Champagne, Clos du Mesnil presents a concentrated study of Côte des Blancs chalk shaped by monopole viticulture and prolonged traditional method maturation.