Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Grand Crus Blanc de Blancs 2012

A legacy since 1734, Champagne Taittinger is the largest eponymous family owned Champagne House and one of the top, independent champagne brands in the world. This family of growers cultivates the second largest vineyard in the Champagne region. The composition of the house’s cuvées is a result of an intuitive and complex process, one which the Taittinger family know how to create and sustain; a Champagne which is completely unique.

The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the finest example of the Taittinger House style and is always a vintage cuvée. It is made only with Chardonnay grapes from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs region, including the villages of Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger, which all have a renowned soil quality for this particular variety in the region.

This cuvée 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. The year 2012 has proven to be an excellent Champagne vintage. 

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. - James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, 99 Points  

The Finer Details
Style - Champagne
Varietal - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Champagne
Vintage - 2012
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.5%