A superb Grand Cru Champagne that comes in at an outrageously reasonable price, Le Mesnil has long been a Cru client favourite as a top-flight grower Champagne combining value and prestige as effortlessly as can be.

 A Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV that makes most vintage Champagnes quake in their boots, it is an absolute steal released at under HK$245 per bottle. Coming from 100% Grand Cru vineyards, they are based the Côte des Blancs' greatest champagne village, the hallowed Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Home to Krug's legendary Clos du Mesnil (latest release at over HK$45,500 per six) and also located near Salon, their grapes are actually sometimes used in Krug. Their 100% Grand Cru sites are favourably situated at east-facing, chalky and mineral-rich slopes. This exposure and terroir are perfect for Chardonnay to soak up in the morning sun and retain water to endure the dry growing season. As a result, they produce healthy grapes that can reach full maturity and potential.

Owned by the Union des Propriétaires-Récoltants, the focus of this growers' co-operative, founded in 1937, is purely on their wine and they do everything on their own terms. They are able to keep prices low as they don't do all the expensive entertaining, marketing, flashy website and brand activation of most Champagne Houses. 

Scoring 17/20 points from Jancis Robinson and 92 points from Vinous, this is as serious and structured non-vintage Champagne as you are likely to find. On the palate, the lively citrus and orchard fruit notes are “underscored by chalky minerality” (VN) with the dry and incisive finish showing “outstanding clarity and persistence” (Vinous).

Offered at just HK$243 per bottle, this non-vintage cuvée is an eye-opener!  A blend of 3 vintages, it was aged in bottle for 3 years before disgorgement. Described as a “serious effort" by Jamie Goode, this "very good/excellent" (JG) Champagne was a Gold medal winner at the ‘Chardonnay du Monde’ competition. 

Almost unbelievably, Le Mesnil Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru NV matches the quality of Krug Grand Cuvée NV Edition 164^th (HK$1,9270 per 12) but is offered at just a fraction of the cost! 

Alongside the NV cuvée, we also have the newly released Le Mesnil 2013 vintage Champagne.  This is a tiny production cuvée that is only released in exceptional years.  The 2013 vintage is not scored yet, but 2013 was a strong vintage for Chardonnay on the Côte de Blanc, one will struggle to find another vintage Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru at only HK$1,950 per 6.