KRUG RARITIES
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE
WHY BUY:
Directly from Krug’s cellar, some of the greatest Champagnes in the marketplace right now: two 99-pointers and two 98-pointers (absolutely extraordinary numbers for non-red wines), including a pair of wines from the legendary Clos du Mesnil (aged for 12+ years) that are so good and affirming they might just make you believe again in the world. We're talking about Krug at its transcendent apex: the 2004 and 2011 Vintages that showcase the house's signature chiseled precision and power, and the celestial Clos du Mesnil 2006 and 2008 that represent Blanc de Blancs at its most sublime (the latter vintage is already being hailed as a once-in-a-century wine). Folks, this is a very rare opportunity to secure some of the finest bubbles that have ever been bottled — wines to commemorate the grandest, most important moments in your life.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
James Suckling awarded the Clos du Mesnil 2006 a stellar 99 points, calling it "a fabulous edition" with "pure Chardonnay that is magnificent with density and agility at the same time... Chalky, yet stony at the same time. Layered, yet linear and really long... Lasts for minutes." About the 2008, Vinous was equally as enamored, lavishing 99 points upon it: "a very, very special Champagne,” it wrote. "Soaring aromatics, fine, chiseled fruit and understated depth... will take its place among the greatest vintages made here, specifically the 1979, 1988 and 1996.” Vinous also weighed in on the 98-point 2004 Vintage, "a gorgeous Champagne that is just beginning to enter its first plateau of maturity... impeccably done," while Suckling declared the 98-point 2011 Vintage "full-bodied, complex and nervy... with fine, silky bubbles yet structured and firm with a lot of power."
OUR TASTING NOTES:
The 2004 Vintage is an almost perfect blend of precision and power. Its complex bouquet of white flowers and almond paste leads to a palate layered with green apple, pear, and toasted nuts, all supported by Krug's signature intensity. The 2011 Vintage delivers full-bodied complexity with fine, silky bubbles and structured power, and is capped off by a magnificent, building finish. The Clos du Mesnil 2006 is elegant and majestic, and a pure expression of Chardonnay, a wine of density and agility, layered yet linear. The 2008 is frankly mind-bending, a laser beam of pure Chardonnay expression with shocking intensity. Its kaleidoscope of white flowers, citrus zest, and crushed chalk reveals new layers with each sip, from green apple to toasted almonds, with a minerality so profound it feels downright textural.
THE STORY:
Krug's dedication to quality is legendary, with each vine tended by hand and each bottle representing the pinnacle of their craft. The house's approach involves separate vinification of each plot, often in oak, enabling precise blending that creates Champagnes of unparalleled depth and nuance. And then there's Clos du Mesnil. There might be no greater testament to the enduring power and allure of place in all of the world of wine. This single-walled plot in the heart of the Côte des Blancs has been producing extraordinary Chardonnay since 1698, nearly eight decades before the U.S. became a country. When the Krug family discovered it in 1971, they knew they had found something special. The vineyard's location is almost mythical: a south-facing slope with that legendary chalk subsoil, protected on all sides by ancient walls. This unique microclimate allows the Chardonnay to achieve a level of ripeness and complexity that's simply unmatched elsewhere in Champagne.
THE SPECS:
All Krug vintage Champagnes age for at least a decade, with the Clos du Mesnil often maturing for 12+ years. The house's signature approach features minimal dosage and meticulous production standards.
FUN FACT:
How small is the Clos du Mesnil vineyard? So small that you could multiply it by 200 and still not fill New York City's Central Park. And yet this little plot produces some of the world's most lusted-after wines.
WHAT TO PAIR THEM WITH:
The Vintage bottlings will go beautifully with everything from oysters on the halfshell and caviar to roasted duck. Clos du Mesnil is perhaps best appreciated on its own, and in deep, lingering contemplation, but a board of aged cheeses is a great complement.
OUR GUARANTEE:
As always, we only buy and source directly from the estate, so rest assured: your bottles will arrive in your hands with pristine provenance. Act now and secure this exceptional collection today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Fall 2025. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. The price reflected on your order form is subject to change after the order is placed in the event of a change in tariffs or taxes that are imposed by the U.S. government, or in the case of currency fluctuations of 10% or greater. Offer not valid in KS, MI, NE, NY, OK & TN. This offer is valid for TWO WEEKS, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, June 29th, 2025.