Champagne Krug
Vintage 2011

Krug Vintage Champagne represents today the two-dimensional expression of Krug: three grapes from a single vintage of rare excellence. Not a better or worse Krug, but different, balanced and complete similar to its predecessors. This Champagne is the perfect and irrevocable interpretation that Krug gives of an excellent and unrepeatable vintage and also reveals a unique personality that will then be made concrete through the marketing of a rare and unique product.

The result is a Champagne capable of harmonizing the specific character of a single vintage with the intense style inspired by the Maison Krug.

Krug 2011 represents and unites the finesse and power of this extraordinary vintage, an edition dubbed "Lively Roundness" by the Maison Krug.

The vintage 2011 was split in two periods for Krug, with inverted seasons and an abrupt change during flowering. Unbridled summer weather arrived in spring, spurring the vines to develop rapidly, and flowering occurred in mid-May, three weeks earlier than usual. Rains and cool temperatures followed. The paradoxical weather reached a peak of uncertainty on the eve of harvest with four scorching days followed by heavy rain and a sudden drop in temperature. The harvest took place from 25 August to 3 September 2011, with the grapes ripening evenly, where Clos d'Ambonnay was surprisingly picked the day before Clos du Mesnil.

Pinot Noir wines of that year showed magnificent balance and structure, while Meunier wines retained a wonderful freshness and elegant bitterness. Chardonnays were most affected by the heatwave so they were juicier and riper than in other years, with exemplary roundness and generosity rather than their usual tension. For the Maison's Tasting Committee, it was clear that the weather had a major impact on the wines, hitting the fruit as if to 'cook' it with heat, while the sugar content remained moderate. Surprisingly, the wines that stood out that year came from plots that one would not have expected.

For the final creation, wines were selected from vineyards that best represented the outstanding characteristics of 2011. Pinot Noir makes up almost half (46%) of the blend, imparting beautiful structure and balance, while grapes from Chardonnay vineyards (37%), the most affected by the heatstroke, impart aromas of ripe, juicy fruit, and Meunier (17%) adds wonderful freshness with elegant bitterness. The broad, generous and assertive profile of Krug 2011 is the result of more than 12 years in the Maison's cellars, during which it has developed expressiveness, harmony and finesse.

Krug 2011 has a clear, bright golden hue. On the nose, it opens with aromas of fresh summer apricots and white fruits give way to a spicy carambola and fresh citrus fruit, followed by menthol and liquorice nuances with a touch of basil leaf. On the palate, it is opulent and round, expressing flavours of cooked, caramelised and dried fruits, as well as jams. Marzipan, barley sugar, praline, honey and hazelnut take over, with hints of smokiness, thyme and rosemary evocative of a walk in the Mediterranean maquis in summer. Almost surprisingly, the chiselled and lively finish persists with notes of blood orange, sea salt and grated grapefruit zest.