100 points. – James Suckling
99 points. – Decanter
98 points. – Vinous
98 points. – Stephen Tanzer's Int'l Wine Cellar
96 points. – Wine Spectator

The sixth expression of Krug Clos du Mesnil, the 1985 comes entirely from Chardonnay grown within Krug’s historic 1.84-hectare walled vineyard in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Re-revealed by the Maison in 2025 to celebrate its 40th anniversary, it remains remarkably fresh and energetic while displaying the profound complexity that only extended ageing can bring.

Bright gold with orange reflections. The bouquet unfolds with roasted nuts, caramelised peanuts, barley sugar, white truffle and mature pastry aromas. Rich yet beautifully poised on the palate, it offers mirabelle plum, lemon-meringue pie, baked citrus and gentle spice, framed by chalky minerality and vibrant acidity. A subtle gastronomic bitterness leads into an exceptionally long, intense and elegant finish.

This is mature Champagne at its most compelling—layered and vinous, yet still remarkably alive. It will be excellent with fresh oysters or langoustines, seared scallops with beurre blanc, turbot, sole or cod with a light cream sauce, lobster with citrus butter, roast chicken with morels, white-truffle risotto and aged Comté.

Serve at 10–12°C in a generous white-wine or Krug-style glass. Avoid serving it too cold, and allow it time to develop in the glass rather than decanting.