Taittinger20 288 37 Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne Blanc de BlancsTaittinger 100% Chardonnay 5 AvizeChouillyCramantOgerMesnil-sur-Oger5%Comtes de Champagne Blanc de BlancsSaint-Nicaise 10

:

100% Chardonnay

(Robert Parker’s rating: 95+ points)
2012Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de ChampagneComtes2002

(James Suckling’s rating: 99 points)

The history of the Taittinger Champagne House began in the early 20th century. It is one of the most prestigious champagne in the world.The vineyardscover 288 hectares of vines and include 37 different crus. Taittinger is the third largest vineyard owner in the Champagne region.

The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the finest example of the Taittinger House style and is always a vintage cuve. It is made with 100% white grapes from the 5 villages with a Grands Crus classification for the Chardonnay grape (Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger).

This cuve is created using juice from the first press only. A small percentage (5 %) of the blend is aged in fresh oak barrels to create the very delicate balance of toasted notes in the final wine. Taittinger knows it must be patient with these great Chardonnays, which are the crowning glory of its terroir; the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs remains for up to 10 years in the chalk quarries beneath Saint-Nicaise, before emerging to ignite and delight the palates of wine-lovers.

Country of Origin:
France

Type:
Champagne

Grape Variety:
100% Chardonnay

Tasting Notes:
(Robert Parker’s rating: 95+)
The 2012 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is showing beautifully out of the gates, offering up demonstrative aromas of sweet golden orchard fruit, buttery croissants, peach and hazelnuts. Medium to full-bodied, pillowy and enveloping, it’s a rich, textural, vinous Comtes somewhat reminiscent of the brilliant 2002.

(James Suckling’s rating: 99)
This is a fantastic and refined Blanc de Blancs. So layered and complex, with lemon curd, chalk, hazelnuts, pastries, baked apples and almond croissants. Structured and tightly wound, with almost imperceptible bubbles. Delicious salty notes at the end. Beautiful. Drink or hold.