Taittinger Comtes De Champagne Grands Crus Blanc De Blancs

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Chardonnay

Sweetness Level:

Brut

Ageing on Lees:

Ten years

Price:

$$$$

Cellar:

Ten+ years

Category:

Collectible

What

A family-operated Grand Marque founded in 1931, also one of the ten largest, known for the Comtes de Champagne, one of the most heavily traded champagnes on the market.

Where

Reims; 288 ha of estate vineyards, the largest family-owned holding in Champagne, mainly in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims, covering nearly half the house’s needs; Comtes de Champagne comes exclusively from the five Grand Crus of the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger.

Why

This is the consummate fusion of Chardonnay and chalk, and the 2013 illustrates how even in a challenging year for other varieties Chardonnay was able to pull through with wines of dynamite acidity and radiant poise, showing some real density on the midpalate though the fruit stays strictly citric, not giving away too much just yet.

What Else

Prélude and Folies de la Marquetterie, two NV blends that are secret vintage wines, are quite distinct personalities. Prélude, made entirely from Grands Crus Pinot and Chardonnay (50/50) is mouth-filling and effusive, plush with quince, vanilla and chestnuts. Folies is a single estate wine and richer in Pinot, with a smoky, oceanic sharpness to temper its breadth. The Rosé Brut tends more to the latter, with a struck match and oyster shell sharpness over spa-like notes of white tea and water lily.

Tasting Notes

A radiant gem, this opens with hints of ozone and oyster shell that gradually give way to fresh butter, lemon balm and green apple. Quite compact, weighty and even forceful on the entry despite its continued brightness and lemony aromatics, it then delivers a blast of acidity that throws all into stark contrast. The finish is very clean, with no bitterness or phenolics.

Try It With

Dainty raw, lightly-dressed fish dishes

When To Drink

Apéritif

Perfect For

Your boss (or future boss)

Tatler Tip

That big bottle is the enemy of your tiny fridge. Plan on drinking this in one sitting if you can.

TL/DR

Oceanic, refined and bright

Supplier

Fine Vintage