Krug Brut Vintage 2011
(Champagne, France) - [JS 98] [WS 97] [JD 97] [WA 95] [DM 94] [VM 93]

About this Champagne:
At the House of Krug, every vintage is crafted to celebrate the distinctive character of a particular year.

Krug 2011 is so opulent yet crisp, the House’s Tasting Committee nicknamed this Champagne “Spirited Roundness”. For Krug, the year 2011 gave birth to a surprising Champagne allying finesse and power with a spontaneous, vibrant side born from this fiery year. Krug 2011 is ample, generous, and assertive.

Tasting Notes:
A nose of white fruits give way to tangy star fruit and citrus followed by nuances of liquorice and basil leaf. In an interplay of delightful contrast, this Champagne opens with enveloping roundness of pastry and stewed fruit. These give way to a hint of smokiness and herbs on the palate. As if by surprise, the chiselled finish lingers with salivating notes sea salt and grapefruit zest.

Food Pairing:
This Vintage will pair deliciously with spicy dishes, grilled meats such as Greek brochettes, shellfish with character, and mouth-watering desserts.

Vintage Notes

Ratings & Reviews

98 Points - James Suckling:

"It shows reserved character but with a lot of energy and tension. Concentrated citrus fruit, candied lemons and mandarin peel with hints of savory herbs and spices. Notes of brioche and caraway seeds. Full-bodied, complex and nervy on the palate. It has fine, silky bubbles yet it’s structured and firm with a lot of power. It builds up on the finish with freshness and vibrancy. Drink or hold." (May 2024)

97 Points - Wine Spectator:

"There's an exuberant appeal to this vivid, fragrant Champagne, with wafts of lime blossoms, cardamom, ground coffee and anise aromatics finely layered with flavors of crushed black cherry, glazed tangerine and grilled nut that show a streak of salinity. Yet this reveals its true class with the deft integration of rich flavors with chiseled acidity and refined, plush texture. Long and seamless, this is not just a catchy tune but a maestro conducting a symphony. Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Disgorged summer 2022 (Krug ID 322038). Drink now through 2040." - Alison Napjus (December 2024)

97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:

"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" - Audrey Frick (February 2024)

95 Points - Wine Advocate:

"The 2011 Krug is a singular, distinctive vintage at this address. Revealing aromas of lemon, confit citrus, dried herbs, hazelnuts, pear and ripe orchard fruits mingled with spices, it's medium to full-bodied, round and dense, with a phenolic, singular entry and a structured, almost tannic but elegant mid-palate framed by a fleshy core of fruit. It has a pinpoint mousse and a long, mineral and saline finish enhanced by a lot of chalky dry extracts. Compared to previous vintages, which were tauter and more incisive, this rendition is more austere, aging gracefully into a Champagne of understated elegance and revealed austerity." - Yohan Castaing (October 2024)

94 Points - Decanter:

"A floral expression, bright and fairly dainty. It's taut and youthful, with a rounded and lightly chewy texture, finishing lean but still succulent and hyper fresh. A changeable vintage which saw the vines flower three weeks earlier than usual, with cool and wet weather thereafter, followed by intense heat then heavy rainfall." - Natalie Earl (April 2024)

93 Points - Vinous:

"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. Disgorged: Summer 2022. Krug ID: 322038." - Antonio Galloni (March 2024)