2011
A year of extremes and elegance — 2011 tested patience in the vineyard, but rewarded precision. From Europe’s cool, rainy vintage to dramatic weather swings in California and South America, success hinged on timing, sorting, and restraint.
🗓️ Historic Moments
🌪 Japan hit by 9.0 earthquake and Fukushima disaster
🪙 Occupy Wall Street protests ignite global debate on inequality
🎶 Adele’s 21 dominates charts worldwide
🛢 Arab Spring continues across the Middle East
📱 Snapchat launches, changing photo sharing forever
📉 U.S. credit rating downgraded by S&P
⚔️ Osama bin Laden killed in Pakistan raid
🇫🇷 Bordeaux (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 70–83°F (21–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm spring led to early flowering, but cool, wet summer delayed ripening.
Challenges/Highlights: Mildew, uneven ripening, and rain at harvest required careful sorting.
Harvest Window: Early September for Merlot, late September for Cabernet.
Reception & Scores: Mixed — Right Bank fared better; Left Bank lean and structured.
Aging Potential: Medium-term; elegant, lower-alcohol reds best from top estates.
🇫🇷 Burgundy (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 68–80°F (20–27°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Early heat followed by cool, rainy July and August.
Challenges/Highlights: Disease pressure and hail in parts of Côte de Beaune.
Harvest Window: Late August to mid-September.
Reception & Scores: Delicate, red-fruited wines; whites are fresh and lively.
Aging Potential: Best for mid-term drinking; not built for decades.
🇫🇷 Rhône Valley (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot spring, cool summer, wet harvest.
Challenges/Highlights: Grenache struggled with rot; Syrah more consistent.
Harvest Window: Late August to early October, depending on area.
Reception & Scores: Northern Rhône solid; Southern Rhône less consistent.
Aging Potential: Variable; top Côte-Rôtie and Hermitage wines will age gracefully.
🇫🇷 Champagne (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 65–77°F (18–25°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm spring but cold, rainy harvest period.
Challenges/Highlights: Rot and dilution a concern; strict selection key.
Harvest Window: Late August to early September.
Reception & Scores: Rarely vintage-declared; used mostly in blends.
Aging Potential: Not a collector year; good NV base material.
🇮🇹 Piedmont (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 72–86°F (22–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot, dry summer with some rain late.
Challenges/Highlights: Hydric stress led to smaller berries; some overripe notes.
Harvest Window: Early to mid-October for Nebbiolo.
Reception & Scores: Riper style; softer tannins than usual.
Aging Potential: Early-drinking Barolo vintage with charm but less longevity.
🇮🇹 Tuscany (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 78–92°F (26–33°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry with heat spikes in August.
Challenges/Highlights: Fast sugar accumulation required urgent harvests.
Harvest Window: Early September for Sangiovese.
Reception & Scores: Plush and generous wines; some lacked acidity.
Aging Potential: Medium-term drinking window; drink earlier than 2010.
🇪🇸 Rioja & Ribera del Duero (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Continental | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Hot and dry, but consistent growing season overall.
Challenges/Highlights: Needed careful canopy management to avoid sunburn.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to October.
Reception & Scores: Excellent vintage; Ribera structured, Rioja elegant.
Aging Potential: Strong aging potential, especially in Ribera del Duero.
🇩🇪 Mosel (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Continental | 63–75°F (17–24°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, dry spring and early summer; some late rain.
Challenges/Highlights: Botrytis increased richness in select areas.
Harvest Window: Mid-September to October.
Reception & Scores: Opulent Spätlese and Auslese wines; lower acidity.
Aging Potential: Great for rich styles; drink earlier than classic cool vintages.
🇺🇸 Napa Valley (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 72–86°F (22–30°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Coolest growing season in decades with untimely rains.
Challenges/Highlights: Rot and dilution; sorting essential.
Harvest Window: October, under wet conditions.
Reception & Scores: Divisive; lean, herbal Cabs but some elegant outliers.
Aging Potential: Only top sites have longevity; most for early enjoyment.
🇺🇸 Sonoma (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Maritime | 68–82°F (20–28°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool, foggy conditions extended hang time.
Challenges/Highlights: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay struggled with ripeness in some zones.
Harvest Window: Late September to October.
Reception & Scores: Mixed; elegant styles from top producers.
Aging Potential: Best whites and Pinots drink well young; age 5–8 years.
🇺🇸 Willamette Valley (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Cool Maritime | 65–78°F (18–26°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Exceptionally cool, with one of the latest harvests on record.
Challenges/Highlights: Needed a miracle October — and got it.
Harvest Window: Mid- to late October.
Reception & Scores: Bright, high-acid Pinot Noirs with low alcohol.
Aging Potential: Long-lived for fans of classic, cool-climate style.
🇺🇸 Washington State (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Warm Continental | 70–88°F (21–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool and late; similar to 2010.
Challenges/Highlights: Needed extended hang time and dry October.
Harvest Window: Late September to early November.
Reception & Scores: Structured, savory reds with low alcohol.
Aging Potential: Excellent for aging; reminiscent of Old World balance.
🇦🇺 Barossa Valley & Margaret River (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Barossa): Mediterranean | 77–95°F (25–35°C) avg daytime highs
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Margaret River): Maritime | 75–85°F (24–29°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Barossa: cool and wet; Margaret River: warm and dry.
Challenges/Highlights: Barossa Shiraz diluted; Margaret River Chardonnay thrived.
Harvest Window: February to April depending on region.
Reception & Scores: Skip Barossa, seek out Margaret River whites and Cabernets.
Aging Potential: Shorter for reds; strong for select whites.
🇿🇦 South Africa (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: Mediterranean | 78–90°F (26–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Warm, even growing season with early ripening.
Challenges/Highlights: Some drought stress in warmer zones.
Harvest Window: January to March.
Reception & Scores: Solid across the board; especially for Chenin and Syrah.
Aging Potential: Medium-term; fresh, fruit-forward styles.
🇦🇷 Argentina - Mendoza (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary: High Desert Continental | 77–90°F (25–32°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Cool start, then balanced summer in Mendoza.
Challenges/Highlights: Ideal ripening for Malbec; low disease pressure.
Harvest Window: March to early April.
Reception & Scores: Excellent; bright fruit and structure.
Aging Potential: Strong aging for top Malbecs and blends.
🇨🇱 Chile - Maipo Valley & Casablanca (2011)
🌡️ Temperature Summary (Maipo): Mediterranean with Andes influence | 75–88°F (24–31°C) avg daytime highs
Weather Summary: Coolest vintage in a decade; slow ripening.
Challenges/Highlights: Herbal notes in reds; whites vibrant and crisp.
Harvest Window: April to early May.
Reception & Scores: Mixed for reds; standout Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
Aging Potential: Whites drink young; reds vary by region and style.
