As far as 2011 vintage champagne goes, this is definitely one of the more successful ones that I have tasted. That being said, it does lack vibrancy, not to mention persistence when it comes to the finish. All of that aside though, it is enjoyable and pleasant enough. Is it worth its price tag though? Well, not really in my humble opinion. While it is good (especially as far as the 2011 vintage is concerned), the elevated price tag stings a bit since the palate is a bit flat and the finish is so unsatisfyingly short.
APPEARANCE: Color & intensity: pale gold
NOSE: Intensity: medium (+) Aromas: yellow apple, walnut, toast, white flowers, brioche, pear, lemon, crushed chalk, hints of smoke and baking spices Development: developing
PALATE: Sweetness: dry Acidity: medium Alcohol: medium Body: medium Mousse: delicate Intensity: medium (+) Flavors: toast, yellow apple, toasted almond, lemon, lemon zest, dried herbs, crushed stone, hint of salt Finish: medium
CONCLUSIONS: Quality level: good Potential for ageing: can drink now but has potential for some further ageing
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Normally I try to steer clear of 2011 Champagne, finding many of them to be overly lithe and mineral (AKA: lacking fruit and depth of flavor compared to other vintages). I know I'm supposed to somehow find love for "challenging" vintages and better learn to appreciate how wine is simply a reflection of how the season influenced the noble grape. But, sometimes vintages just blow hard, and how that manifests into wine can equally stink. Sure, in academe, one can love every child and find the beauty in all of God's creature and all that. In industry and as a consumer, some stuff just ain't all that good.
All that aside, this Deutz was a pleasant Champagne (and no, pleasant isn't code for boring). Was it a showstopper? Um, no. But it held an interesting character that highlighted more herbal flavorings: tarragon and fresh oregano to be precise, along with chalky minerality and higher register lemon and unripe stone fruit notes. These are not flaws from a tasting standpoint to be sure, much like pyrazine in red wine isn't necessarily a flaw (even though there's an argument to be made that it is indeed a technical flaw in ripeness), and "in balance," these notes offer what could be interpreted as complexity and layerings of flavor.
Sound like I'm tiptoeing around some elephant in the room that essentially is my attempt to hide the fact that this Champagne was less interesting than it really is? ...as though I'm trying to avoid getting to the point about this wine? Perhaps, and maybe my lengthy explanation does more harm than good, but in the end I'll say this: I quite liked this Champagne. I wouldn't run out and buy it again, but it was just what a white fish-driven meal needed. I might even be underscoring because of the stigma of the vintage here. Score higher if fruit flavor scares you. The Deutz is more of a slow burn experience, contemplative and symphonic.
In the end, this is for those who like classicism and more strictness in their Champagne, much like Chablis traditionalists need their best Clos to taste like a fossilized Trilobite before they anoint it of proper typicity. This Deutz was perfect for the occasion and the meal; so, what more could you ask for? (Ya, ya...I know...you can always ask for more, just ask my Great Pyrenees - "More, now, right now, more, more, more...!!"). If you get frustrated when you don't instantly get 1,000 likes on your Instagram when you post some rando photo of you making duck face while waiting at the bus stop, then the Deutz is likely not for you.
Pronounced nose with aromatic nose of flora, white peach, pear, toast, yeasty, bread. High acidity. First time drinking Amour de Deutz Champagne and was particularly impress with the nose.
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12/3/2023 - uncorked.fr wrote:
As far as 2011 vintage champagne goes, this is definitely one of the more successful ones that I have tasted. That being said, it does lack vibrancy, not to mention persistence when it comes to the finish. All of that aside though, it is enjoyable and pleasant enough. Is it worth its price tag though? Well, not really in my humble opinion. While it is good (especially as far as the 2011 vintage is concerned), the elevated price tag stings a bit since the palate is a bit flat and the finish is so unsatisfyingly short.
APPEARANCE:
Color & intensity: pale gold
NOSE:
Intensity: medium (+)
Aromas: yellow apple, walnut, toast, white flowers, brioche, pear, lemon, crushed chalk, hints of smoke and baking spices
Development: developing
PALATE:
Sweetness: dry
Acidity: medium
Alcohol: medium
Body: medium
Mousse: delicate
Intensity: medium (+)
Flavors: toast, yellow apple, toasted almond, lemon, lemon zest, dried herbs, crushed stone, hint of salt
Finish: medium
CONCLUSIONS:
Quality level: good
Potential for ageing: can drink now but has potential for some further ageing
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11/10/2023 - thewiz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Sthlm Food & Wine Champagne-tastings (Älvsjömässan, Stockholm): (Disgorged in 2021, 100% Chardonnay)
Nice and smooth on the palate with a gentle lemon citrus and cream note that opens up with vegetal touch on the finish.
(Best 2021-2031)
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11/1/2023 - fanglangzhe Likes this wine: 89 Points
white pulp fruits, citrus, slight mineral.
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10/9/2023 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: 92 Points
Le Tour de Champagne Tasting (Olofskapel, Amsterdam, NL): Trade tasting, brief note. Relatively delicate style, feels quite mature (in keeping with the vintage), light and supple, not much energy left, completely ready.
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3/26/2023 - csimm wrote: 92 Points
At Restaurant Matafan, Chamonix, France.
Normally I try to steer clear of 2011 Champagne, finding many of them to be overly lithe and mineral (AKA: lacking fruit and depth of flavor compared to other vintages). I know I'm supposed to somehow find love for "challenging" vintages and better learn to appreciate how wine is simply a reflection of how the season influenced the noble grape. But, sometimes vintages just blow hard, and how that manifests into wine can equally stink. Sure, in academe, one can love every child and find the beauty in all of God's creature and all that. In industry and as a consumer, some stuff just ain't all that good.
All that aside, this Deutz was a pleasant Champagne (and no, pleasant isn't code for boring). Was it a showstopper? Um, no. But it held an interesting character that highlighted more herbal flavorings: tarragon and fresh oregano to be precise, along with chalky minerality and higher register lemon and unripe stone fruit notes. These are not flaws from a tasting standpoint to be sure, much like pyrazine in red wine isn't necessarily a flaw (even though there's an argument to be made that it is indeed a technical flaw in ripeness), and "in balance," these notes offer what could be interpreted as complexity and layerings of flavor.
Sound like I'm tiptoeing around some elephant in the room that essentially is my attempt to hide the fact that this Champagne was less interesting than it really is? ...as though I'm trying to avoid getting to the point about this wine? Perhaps, and maybe my lengthy explanation does more harm than good, but in the end I'll say this: I quite liked this Champagne. I wouldn't run out and buy it again, but it was just what a white fish-driven meal needed. I might even be underscoring because of the stigma of the vintage here. Score higher if fruit flavor scares you. The Deutz is more of a slow burn experience, contemplative and symphonic.
In the end, this is for those who like classicism and more strictness in their Champagne, much like Chablis traditionalists need their best Clos to taste like a fossilized Trilobite before they anoint it of proper typicity. This Deutz was perfect for the occasion and the meal; so, what more could you ask for? (Ya, ya...I know...you can always ask for more, just ask my Great Pyrenees - "More, now, right now, more, more, more...!!"). If you get frustrated when you don't instantly get 1,000 likes on your Instagram when you post some rando photo of you making duck face while waiting at the bus stop, then the Deutz is likely not for you.
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12/22/2022 - Collector1855 wrote: 93 Points
Domaine visit. Complex nose of green apples, herbs, citrus elements. complex and precise on the palate. Very fine bubbles. 93+
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12/26/2021 - Tavastgatan wrote: 94 Points
Seamless and flawless. 94+
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11/25/2021 - Sean Tay wrote: 93 Points
Pronounced nose with aromatic nose of flora, white peach, pear, toast, yeasty, bread. High acidity. First time drinking Amour de Deutz Champagne and was particularly impress with the nose.
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