Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc 2008
A$700.00
Description
The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is the finest example of the Taittinger style. It is made from 100% white Chardonnay grapes from the prestigious Côte des Blancs region.
This area of vineyards in Champagne is, without doubt, the most famous and is 95% planted with Chardonnay vines. The white grape-producing vines flourish beautifully well on the chalky soil, from which they also derive their aromatic sophistication. The Côte des Blancs extends over barely 20 km and is located south of Epernay. Chalk is present across the whole area, creating an oasis of water and warmth, which is very useful when faced with the double climatic influences of the sea and the continent. The vines predominantly face east, so that they are sheltered from the strong westerly winds, and are planted on the sides of the hills so that they can enjoy optimal amounts of sunshine.
5 villages, with exceptional soil conditions located in the heart of the Côte des Blancs region, produce the Grands Crus du Chardonnay: Cramant, Avize, Chouilly, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger. Only grapes from exceptional harvests in this Grands Crus area are used to make Comtes de Champagne. In order to get the best from each vine, work is carried out by hand and in an environmentally friendly manner in tune with the seasons. The grapes are only harvested once they are fully mature and are picked and sorted very carefully by hand. The Comtes de Champagne is considered the finest wines from the Côte des Blancs region and are, first and foremost, the result of the skills, knowledge, passion, and dedication of the wine growers. These artisan wine producers have worked alongside the Taittinger Champagne House for a long time and share the same pursuit of excellence.
Rating
97 points
James Suckling
The nose takes you into a world of maturity and voluptuousness. It exhales delicious notes of gingerbread, licorice, and meringue. This Comtes de Champagne delivers aromas of delicate white fruit: vine peach, cherimoya, and mandarin peel subtly blended with light touches of almond pastry. A wine of great mineral power, dense and rich with Chardonnays flexing their iodine character. The generous palate is built upon a chalky structure, giving it charm and precision. This smooth wine takes you on a journey through the aromas of candied fruit and sweet spices like aniseed and coriander. Really capturing a moment in time, the freshness of this Comtes de Champagne 2011 suggests that it offers all the aging potential that is to be expected of such a Cuvee. The finest example of the Maison Taittinger style, the Comtes de Champagne is rare. It is subject to a great deal of care and attention until it reaches peak condition, and the criteria that must be met for its creation means that it cannot be produced on a large scale.
