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. Krug ID: 322038
The 2011 delivers on Krug's signature style yet has a chiselled, approachable and fine-boned structure. The varietal balance leans more to Chardonnay than normal, representing 37% of the blend (46% is Pinot Noir and 17% old vine Meunier), leaning into a vintage that has seen the most success from wines using more of the white grape - the summer was hot and the harvest early with low yields. The nose is layered and expressive, with notes of toasted cashews, fresh pastries, struck match and ripe citrus. The palate delivers the same array of flavours promised on the nose, with a streak of acidity cutting through the fruit core. As is always the case here the mousse is highly refined; fine yet very persistent and creamy, adding body to a fairly sleek wine. Creamy buttered fruits build through to the finish in tandem with savoury, lightly smoky autolytic biscuity tones. Long and streamlined on the finish, this is a vintage to drink ahead of the closed 2008 and will likely prove more approachable than the vintages that follow.
