Krug Vintage 2011 beautifully embodies a unique year in the Maison's illustrious history. Winemakers recall the tumultuous weather of 2011, with an early and intense summer followed by rain and cool temperatures, then scorching heat before harvest. This complex story is perfectly conveyed through a blend of 46% pinot noir, 37% chardonnay, and 17% pinot meunier in Krug's 2011 vintage. The wine's finesse and power earned it the nickname "Spirited Roundness" from the tasting committee, and after 12 years of maturation in our wine cellar, its distinctive aromas of apricots, white fruits, and tangy red fruits with hints of basil leaf and liquorice are revealed upon tasting. The heat has cooked the fruit, resulting in a palate full of dried fruits, marzipan, jam, and barley sugar, showcasing the vintage's true power and roundness.

 

 

"Because 2011 was a challenging vintage for Champagne, it would be very easy to over-generalize, as many readers may have had less than ideal experiences elsewhere. But Krug’s 2011 Champagne Millesime Brut is not your average Champagne. With a rounded nose, it pours a medium golden straw hue and is creamy with aromas of orange blossoms, custard, fresh pear, hazelnut, and delicate smoky incense. Medium to full-bodied and refined on the palate, it has a rounded and pristine profile, with ripe, balanced fruit floating through the palate, a pinpoint mousse, and a delicate hint of almond skin on the finish that I would expect to become more pronounced with age. Following the more tension-driven vintage of 2008, which was characterized by a more high-toned and lemon-tinged profile, this wine will be accessible sooner (probably also the case for the future release of 2012) and will undoubtedly provide an open window for drinking over the coming 15 to 20 years. Drink 2028-2048."

97 points – Jeb Dunnuck

 

"The 2011 Vintage is a very pretty wine in this highly challenging vintage. Apricot, mint, dried herbs and a kiss of French oak open nicely in the glass. There is some of the savory character of 2011, but it is nicely woven into the wine’s fabric. To be sure, the 2011 is a slender vintage at Krug. That is especially evident in the wine’s light-ish mid-palate and overall feel, yet all the elements are impeccably balanced. I expect the 2011 to be a relatively early maturing Vintage and would not push my luck on aging."

93 points - Vinous