Clos du Mesnil is the most famous Champagne vineyard of all and nowhere outside the hallowed grand crus of Burgundy itself does chardonnay enjoy a more privileged position than in this village. The 2000 vintage has neither the vivacity nor the energy of 1998, but a more generous white peach purity across Champagne, and Clos du Mesnil captures its personality with exacting precision. It has a gentle and caressing demeanour, expressed in softly chalky minerality, not as profoundly textural as 1998, but every bit as deep-set and mouthfilling. It captures the vineyard with its classic molten wax character, its flint, gunsmoke, pure lemon zest, vanilla bean, fennel and exotic spice. Profound length, remarkable refinement and unrelenting purity define a more approachable Clos du Mesnil, ready to perform right away.